Does Intercropping of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) with Pulse Legumes Improve Soil Fertility, Crop Productivity and Profitability?

Purpose: Intercropping of baby corn (Zea mays L.) with pulse legumes might improve production efficiency and increase profitability. The objectives of this study were to compare growth, yield and nitrogen uptake of baby corn and pulse legumes in intercropping systems and to determine income from the systems.

Research Method: Four treatments consisting of baby corn alone, baby corn with mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek), baby corn with soybean (Glycine max) and baby corn with crawling cowpea (Vigna unquiculata L. Walp) were assigned in a randomized complete block design with three replications.

Findings: All intercropping systems reduced growth and yield of baby corn and the income from the legumes could not reimburse for crop loss. Crawling cowpea was the best legume for intercropping system in term of providing better crop residue for succeeding crops. Among three pulse legumes investigated, cowpea had the highest nitrogen uptake, and its residue may be beneficial to succeeding crops. The reasons for reduction in baby corn yield and the alternative means for intercropping to increase income are discussed.

Originality: Intercropping system is generally practiced to increase crop production efficiency. In this study, intercropping baby corn with pulse legumes did not increase income for baby corn growers because baby corn had the highest market price and pulse legumes reduced yield of baby corn.