Microclimatic Studies and Crop Weather Relationship Under Different Sowing Dates in Maize and Pigeonpea Intercropping System

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at MARS, UAS, Dharwad on medium black soil newlineduring kharif/rabi seasons of 2010-11 and 2011-12 under rainfed condition. The results newlinerevealed that maize hybrid Kargil 900 M Gold and pigeonpea cv. Asha sown in June I newlinefortnight resulted in significantly higher grain yield (7063 and 1149 kg/ha, respectively), yield newlineattributes and growth attributes, took more growing degree days to complete their maturity newline(1569.1 and 2898.00C days, respectively), net returns (Rs. 53951/ha) and B:C ratio (3.03) as newlinecompared to subsequent sowing dates which was on par with June II fortnight sowing. newlineSole crop of maize (7483 kg/ha) and pigeonpea (1416 kg/ha) recorded significantly newlinehigher grain yields over intercropped treatments. Intercropping resulted in significant newlinereduction in the yield of both maize and pigeonpea crops. However, it was better newlinecompensated by the component crop in the intercropping system as seen in equivalent yield newlineand monetary returns. Higher maize equivalent yield was recorded with maize and pigeonpea newlinein 4:2 row ratio (9040 kg/ha) followed by maize + pigeonpea in 2:2 row ratio (8482 kg/ha). Net newlinereturns and B:C ratio were also maximum in intercropping of maize + pigeonpea in 2:2 row newlineratio (Rs. 56787/ha and 3.17, respectively) as compared to other treatments which was newlinefollowed by maize + pigeonpea 4:2 row ratio (Rs. 56118/ha and 2.82, respectively). newlineAmong the various weather parameters, temperature, rainfall and relative humidity newlinehave significant effect on growth and yield of maize and pigeonpea both in sole and newlineintercropping system. Early sowing in June I fortnight recorded lower pest and disease newlinecompared to late sowing in July II fortnight due to higher relative humidity particularly in newlinevegetative stage. In sole crops, microclimatic parameters viz., light transmission ratio, soil newlinetemperature and wind velocity decreased while, relative humidity and canopy air temperature newlineincreased. Whereas, reverse trend was followed in intercropping system. Due to lower newlinecanopy air temperature and relativ