Nutrients Dynamics and uptake Patterns in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)- Sweet corn (Zea mays var. Saccarata) Intercropping Systems

A field experiment was conducted in the summer season during 2020-21 and 2021-22 on clayey soil at Regional Rice Research Station, NAU, Vyara (Gujarat), India to evaluate the nutrients dynamics and uptake patterns of groundnut-sweet corn intercropping systems. The experiment comprised of ten treatments which was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that the productivity of these systems in terms of groundnut pod equivalent yield 3221 kg/ha was significantly higher with intercropping of groundnut + sweet corn (2:1) with paired row (30-60-30 cm) (T10) followed by groundnut + sweet corn (3:1) in additive series (3073 kg/ha) (T8). Maximum N and K balance was recorded in case of treatment T10 (+107.18 and +144.52 kg/ha, respectively) which was followed by groundnut + sweet corn (2:1) in replacement series (T4) (+71.14 and +108.78 kg/ha, respectively) and (3:1) in additive series (T8) (+56.35 and +107.44 kg/ha, respectively). Phosphorus balance was negative under all treatments of intercropping system.