Residual Effects of Weed and Nutrient Management in Maize + Cowpea Intercropping System on Yield of Succeeding Sesame

A field experiment was conducted during 2015-016 and 2016-017 at Central Research Station, OUAT, Bhubaneswar on loamy sand soil to investigate the residual effect of weed and nutrient management in maize + cowpea intercropping system on yield of succeeding sesame. The field experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications by taking 16 treatment combinations of four nutrient management in main plot [F1=Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) @ 120, 60, 60 kg/ha N, P2O5 and K2O ( for maize) +10, 20, 10 kg/ha N, P2O5 and K2O (for cowpea), F2= RDF+FYM 5 t/ha, F3= RDF + 0.2 Lime requirement (LR), F4= RDF+FYM 5 t/ha + Lime 0.2 LR] and four weed management in sub-plot [W1= Pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg/ha, W2= Oxyfluorfen @ 0.03 kg/ha, W3= Farmer practices at 20 DAS, W4= Weedy check]. The results revealed that residue of RDF + FYM + lime recorded the maximum number of capsules/plant (32.3) which resulted in maximum seed yield of 0.55 t/ha. Likewise residue oxyfluorfen @ 0.03 kg/ha produced maximum number of capsules/plant (31.4) with maximum seed yield (0.52 t/ha) of succeeding sesame crop. Residual effect of combined application of RDF + FYM + lime along with pre-emergence application of oxyfluorfen @ 0.03 kg/ha prove to be the best for the increased productivity and profitability of sesame and gave the maximum mean gross return (Rs 31275/-), net return (Rs 19275/-) and benefit-cost ratio of 2.61 as well as improved soil quality.