Profitability and Yield Stability of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.) under Diverse Legume Intercropping Arrangements

Abstract

The present study assessed the agronomic performance and economic efficiency of sweet corn intercropped with cowpea and black gram under varied spatial arrangements. The comparison of sole sweet corn against six intercropping configurations with varied row ratios-1:1, 1:2, and 2:2-was made through a randomized complete block design with three replications to assess their varying effects on yield enhancement, biological complementarities, and system profitability. The sweet corn productivity increased significantly in all the intercropping treatments. The 2:2 sweet corn + cowpea system (T₆) recorded the maximum cob yield of 12.25 t/ha and stover yield of 21.50 t/ha, which was 64.4% over the mono-crop control. Black gram intercrops also recorded increased yield, and T₇ (2:2) resulted in a 47.3% increase in cob yield. The performance of intercrops also showed similar advantages: cowpea recorded its maximum pod yield of 32.20 q/ha in T₆, while the maximum seed yield of black gram was recorded as 15.63 q/ha in T₇. This benefit is an indication of increased nitrogen fixation, efficient canopy stratification, and better partitioning of resources in the intercropping systems. The economic evaluation revealed that intercropping was significantly superior over mono-cropping in profitability. T₆ recorded the maximum gross return (Rs 3,14,903/ha) and net return (Rs 2,25,964/ha) along with the maximum benefit–cost ratio of 3.51, which is significantly higher over the control. Cowpea-based systems were invariably superior in economic performance compared to black gram-based systems due to their better compatibility and contribution to system-level efficiency. On the whole, the findings suggest that sweet corn–cowpea intercropping, especially the 2:2 arrangement, has an added advantage due to a better yield increase, biological efficiency, and economic return. This might thus place cereal–legume intercropping in a favourable position as a productive, economically viable, and sustainable alternative to monoculture sweet corn cultivation.