How Does Maize-Cowpea Intercropping Maximize Land Use and Economic Return? A Field Trial in Bangladesh

Cultivating multiple crops together can provide numerous benefits, including improved soil health and crop yield. The objective of our study was to determine the optimum planting techniques in intercropping systems, maximize their benefits by mitigating competition for resources such as land, space, light interception, nutrition. performance successively planted maize (Zea mays L.) grown with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata evaluated a field trial Bangladesh. treatments were: (a) sole maize, (b) cowpea, (c) sown simultaneously, (d) different time lags (1, 2, 3 weeks) between maize-sowing cowpea-sowing dates. Data on crops’ physiological parameters were recorded. These included leaf area index (LAI), Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD), harvest index, Simultaneously, canopy coverage measured using camera-based photo analysis. In addition, an economic analysis soybean or conducted gross margin benefit-cost ratio. results, below-canopy photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) significantly higher when three weeks after cowpea. contrast, LAI value greater same day than other treatments. As result, yield reduced intercropped This reduction maximized both species simultaneously due resources, nutrients light. Intercropping more beneficial terms land equivalent ratio cropping especially later. However, this benefit not retained calculated since contribution small overall yield, suggesting importance relative component species. Among all treatments, lowest (6.03 ± 0.14 t ha−1) obtained from largest (1.67 0.05) treatment provided net income USD 786.32 25.08 ha−1. has shown that together, maize–cowpea temporal niche difference may be better option sustainable production Bangladesh, maximizing use. it return.