Combined output value in hybrid maize and squash intercropping system

The experiment was conducted in the research field of Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Rajbari, Dinajpur during the rabi season of 2016-17 and 2017-18 to know the suitability of squash intercrop with maize in which row arrangement could be useful to farmers and the economic performance of the maize-squash intercropping systems. Five different intercropping combinations along with sole cropping of maize and squash were employed in the study following randomized complete block design. Different intercropping combinations were evaluated by performed on basis of several intercropping indices such as land equivalent ratio (LER), system productivity index (SPI), competitive ratio (CR), monetary advantages index (MAI), replacement value of intercropping (RVI) and economics performance. The monetary return of intercropping of maize with squash with different planting ratio was significantly higher as compared to sole cropping. The highest maize equivalent yield (18.35 t ha-1), gross return (Tk.275250 ha-1), gross margin (Tk.188930 ha-1), BCR (3.19), LER (1.65), SPI (11.03), RVI (2.92), MAI (108431) were in T5 (Maize paired row (37.5cm/150cm/37.5cm) (100%) + 2 rows squash (Pl. to Pl. 1m) (100%) in between maize paired row) compared to other intercropping combination and sole cropping of maize. The results revealed that Maize paired row (37.5cm/150cm/37.5cm) (100%) + 2 rows squash (Pl. to Pl. 1m) (100%) in between maize paired row (T5) combination could be suitable for total productivity and economic return