Effect of row spacing and moisture conservation practices on production potential of maize (Zea mays L.) in guava (Psidium guajava L.) based agrihorti system under rainfed condition

Abstract

Observation was made on "Effect of row spacing and moisture conservation practices on production potential of maize in guava (Psidium guajava L.) Based agri-horti system under rainfed condition" at Agronomy farm of Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Bañaras Hindu University, Barkachha Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh (India) during kharif season of 2012-13. The site of experimental field is situated at 25° 10' North latitude, 82° 37 East longitudes, 427 meters above mean sea level in the semi-arid eastern plain zone. The field experiment was conducting under seven years old guava based agrihorti system with split plot design having three levels of row spacing (30cm, 45cm and 60cm) and four level of mulching (No mulch, paddy straw mulch, green weed mulch and dust mulch). The height, girth and canopy of the tree in seven years old guava were up to 3.15m, 21.50cm and 5.90m, respectively. Paddy straw mulch at 60 cm row spacing gave the highest number of grain cob-1 (358.07). Row spacing of 60 cm and paddy straw mulch produced significantly more grain weight plant-1 (64.13 g) over the all other mulch treatments. Row spacing at 45 cm produced significantly higher grain yield (52.21 q ha-1) over the 30 cm and 60 cm row spacing. Due to mulching treatments, grain yield significantly improved and highest grain yield (52.32 q ha-1) was recorded with the application of paddy straw mulch followed by green weed mulch (50.11 q ha-1) and dust mulch (49.38 q ha-1). In overall comparison, the pure maize crop yield was higher as compared to tree-crop system. © EM International.