Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in 1986 and 1987 kharif seasons to assess the production potential and economics of maize and varagu based intercropping system under rainfed conditions in red lateritic soils of Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu. Amog different intercrops tested, black gram is the best intercrop for maize based intercropping system and varugu based intercropping system. Further analysis showed that yield equivalent, land use efficiency and net profit were significantly increased by grain legumes intercrop and more than compensated the losses in main crops (maize and varagu), Maize and varagu normal sowing+ one row of black gram (1:1) proved to be the best combination by recording maximum grain yield equivalent, LER and net profit.

Keywords: Maize, Varagu, Intercropping, Production Potential, Economics