Abstract
To ensure food security on sustainable basis, reducing weeds interference and boosting land use efficiency are critical. A field study was conducted at research farm of University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan, to sort out the most productive maize-gram intercropping system under semi-arid environment. Treatments included sole maize in single row (60 cm apart) (T-1) and double rows (90 cm apart) (T-2) strips, sole black (T-3) and green gram (T-4) crops, six single rows (60 cm apart) of maize with twelve double rows (20 cm) of black (T-5) and green gram (T-6), three double rows (90 cm apart) of maize with three sets of quadratic rows (20 cm apart) of black (T-7) and green gram (T-8). The experiment was executed in regular arrangement of randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that T-1 produced the highest grain yield (6.97 t ha(-1)) of maize and significantly lower weeds infestation compared to wider row spacing (T-2). Among intercropping systems, T-8 significantly decreased weeds density (16.33 plants m(-2)) and their fresh (20.93 g m(-2)) and dry weights (5.63 g m(-2)), while the maximum land use efficiency as indicated by unmatched land equivalent ratio and intercropping advantage were recorded by T-7 and T-8. Interestingly, green gram in intercropping recorded over 58% higher productivity than black gram. We conclude that maize-green gram intercropping hold potential to impart sustainability to maize production by reducing weeds infestation (431% lower than sole maize) and could be a viable option for smallholder farmers in semi-arid environment.