Intercropping with maize is gaining renewed attention across India as input costs rise and rainfall patterns turn erratic. Agronomists and state agriculture departments are increasingly advising maize-based intercropping to improve land use efficiency, stabilise income, and reduce pest pressure. The key question farmers are asking this season is straightforward: which intercrop works best with maize right now? The answer depends on soil type, rainfall, market access, and whether the crop is grown for grain, fodder, or silage. What follows is a practical, field-tested guide based on current recommendations and on-ground results.
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Why Intercropping with Maize Matters Today
Maize is a wide-spaced, fast-growing crop with high nutrient demand in its early stages. This makes it suitable for intercropping, especially during the kharif season. With fertiliser prices still elevated and weather risks increasing, intercropping helps farmers:
Use sunlight, water, and nutrients more efficiently
Reduce total crop failure risk
Improve soil fertility, especially with legumes
Earn additional income from the same land
In rainfed and semi-irrigated areas, these advantages are no longer optional—they are risk management tools.
Legumes Are the Best Intercrops for Maize
Across agro-climatic zones, leguminous crops consistently perform best with maize. They fix atmospheric nitrogen, reduce weed pressure, and do not compete aggressively for light.
Top legume options:
Black gram (Urad)
Green gram (Moong)
Cowpea (Lobia)
Soybean (in select regions)
Why legumes work well
Their shallow roots complement maize’s deeper root system
They mature early, reducing competition in later maize stages
They improve soil nitrogen for the next crop
Field trials in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of Maharashtra show maize + pulse systems improving net returns by 15–30% compared to sole maize.
Maize + Black Gram or Green Gram: The Most Reliable Combination
For most Indian farmers, maize intercropped with black gram or green gram remains the safest and most profitable choice.
Recommended row ratio
1 row maize : 1 or 2 rows pulse
Maintain at least 60 cm spacing for maize rows
Key benefits
Pulses mature in 60–70 days, freeing space early
Lower pest incidence compared to monocropping
Strong local market demand for pulses
This system is especially effective in eastern India and central zones where rainfall during kharif is adequate but unpredictable.
Cowpea: Best for Fodder and Soil Health
Cowpea is a preferred intercrop where maize is grown for fodder or silage, particularly in dairy belts.
Advantages
Rapid ground cover suppresses weeds
High-quality green fodder improves livestock nutrition
Tolerates short dry spells
Cowpea works well in maize + cowpea (2:1) systems under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. It is widely adopted in Haryana, Rajasthan, and parts of southern India.
Soybean with Maize: Use Carefully
Soybean can be intercropped with maize, but only under specific conditions.
Suitable when
Soil fertility is medium to high
Adequate and evenly distributed rainfall is expected
Farmers have experience managing both crops
Risks
High nutrient demand
Greater competition for moisture
Pest management becomes more complex
Because of these factors, soybean is better suited for strip intercropping rather than close row systems.
Intercropping Patterns That Work
Choosing the right crop is only half the job. Layout matters.
Best practices
Keep maize as the main crop; never reduce its plant population drastically
Apply basal fertiliser mainly for maize; pulses need minimal nitrogen
Avoid intercrops taller than maize
Ensure timely sowing of both crops within 3–5 days
Poor spacing and delayed sowing are common reasons for intercrop failure.
What Not to Intercrop with Maize
Some crops reduce maize yield significantly and should be avoided.
Not recommended
Sugarcane
Paddy
Cotton
Long-duration vegetables
These crops compete heavily for water, nutrients, and light, and often complicate field operations.
Conclusion: The Best Intercrop Depends on Purpose, But Pulses Lead
There is no single answer for every farm, but current evidence is clear: legumes are the best intercrops for maize in India today. Among them, black gram and green gram offer the best balance of profitability, ease of management, and soil benefits. Cowpea is ideal for fodder-focused systems, while soybean should be used selectively.
As climate risks grow and margins tighten, maize-based intercropping is shifting from an optional practice to a strategic decision. Farmers who match the intercrop to their local conditions—and follow proper spacing and timing—stand to gain more stable yields and better long-term soil health.
