Optimizing resources for sustainable maize production under different intercrop association in eastern Sub Himalayan region of India

Harkesh Meena¹Partha Sarathi Patra^2*Pabitra Adhikary³Arju Sahid Ahmed⁴Shyamal Kheroar⁵Shovik Deb⁶Feroze Hasan Rahman⁷Amrit Tamang⁸BIMAL DAS⁹Pijush Somondal¹⁰

• ¹Department of Agronomy, West Bengal, India, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Coochbehar, India
• ²Regional Research Station, Terai Zone, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Coochbehar, India
• ³North 24 Parganas Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ashokenagar, West Bengal, India
• ⁴Department of Agronomy, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Coochbehar, India
• ⁵AICRP on Jute and Allied Fibre, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Coochbehar, India
• ⁶Department of Soil Science and Agril. Chemistry, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Coochbehar, India
• ⁷Indian Council of Agricultural Research, NBSS & LUP, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
• ⁸Department of soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Coochbehar, India
• ⁹College of Agriculture, Majhian, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Coochbehar, India
• ¹⁰Department of Agronomy, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India

Intercropping is a sustainable agricultural approach that plays a crucial role in improving land use efficiency, enhancing soil fertility and boosting overall crop productivity. In the eastern sub Himalayan region of West Bengal, India, this practice holds significant promise for transforming traditional farming by optimizing yield per unit area while promoting environmental sustainability. Maize (Zea mays L.), a highly adaptable crop that serves as a staple food and animal feed, can benefit substantially from intercropping with legumes and non-legumes. However, systematic evaluations of maize-based intercropping systems in this region remain limited. This study was conducted to assess the comparative performance of four maize based intercropping systems namely maize-mustard, maize-lentil, maize-wheat and maize-pea conducted during the rabi seasons of 2021–22 and 2023–24. The hypothesis posited that intercropping with legumes would significantly enhance maize productivity. The experiment followed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four replications and key parameters such as growth traits, yield components, weed control, nutrient uptake, changes in soil chemical properties and economic outcomes were measured.Sole maize plots recorded superior growth and yield attributes, producing the highest grain yields. However, the maize + pea intercropping system markedly outperformed in terms of overall system productivity, increasing yield by 62.31% and 68.84% over sole maize in the first and second years, respectively. Legume-based systems not only contributed to better weed suppression but also enhanced soil fertility. The economic analysis revealed that the maize + pea system delivered the highest additional net returns of ₹92,441 and ₹1,12,775 ha-1 in the first and second years compared to sole maize. The results clearly demonstrate the advantages of intercropping maize, especially with pea, under rabi conditions in the eastern sub-Himalayan region. This strategy significantly boosts productivity, improves resource use efficiency and maximizes economic benefits. These findings provide critical insights into sustainable crop management and can serve as a model for other regions with similar agro-ecological conditions. The study strongly advocates for the integration of legumes in maize intercropping systems, highlighting their potential to address the twin challenges of food security and environmental sustainability.