Production Potential of Potato and Maize Inter-cropping as Influenced by Spacing, Planting Pattern and Staggered Sowing of Maize

A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2007-08 and 2008-09 at Central Potato Research Station, Patna on sandy loam soil under irrigated condition in factorial randomized block design with three replications to find the suitable planting geometry for maize intercropped with potato (1:1) in additive series having 100 percent population of both the crops. The experiment consisted of 14 treatments including 12 intercropping treatments having combination of 2 row spacing of potato planting, three dates of staggered sowing of maize and two methods of maize establishment along with two sole crop treatments of potato and maize. The tuber yield of potato and grain and stover yield of maize was significantly higher under sole cropping. Although intercropping reduced the potato tuber yield, maize grain and stover yield by 11.49, 12.41 and 12.61% respectively, however, maize grain equivalent yield and net return improved by 63.68 & 69.08% and 24.51 & 35.19 % over sole maize and sole potato respectively. In intercropping system, growth and yield attributes of potato, tuber yield of potato, growth and yield attributes of maize and grain and stover yield of maize differed significantly due to row spacing and staggered sowing of maize. Row spacing of 67.5 cm resulted in significantly higher values of potato tuber yield (25.8 t/ha), maize grain (6.09 t/ha) and stover yield (7.21 t/ha), Maize grain equivalent yield (18.26 t/ha), net return (Rs. 55549/ha), benefit: cost ratio (1.7). Maize sown 25 days after potato planting at the time of earthing up of potato recorded significantly higher yield of large and medium grade tuber, total tuber and minimum cut and green tuber percentage. Simultaneous sowing of maize in potato + maize intercropping system produced highest maize grain and stover yield, Maize grain equivalent yield, net return and benefit: cost ratio.