Effect of Resource Conservation Practices on Productivity of Maize Intercropped with Soybean under Maize + Soybean – Wheat Cropping System and Soil Microbial Population

An investigation entitled "Effect of resource conservation practices on productivity of maize intercropped with soybean under Maize + Soybeanwheat cropping system and soil microbial population" was conducted at the Research Farm, Main Campus, Chatha of SKUAST-Jammu during the year 2012-13 and 2013-14.The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with two crop establishment methods (Minimum / Zero tillage and conventional tillage) and three cropping systems (Rice-Wheat, Rice-Marigold-French bean and Maize + soyabean -Wheat) and two fertilizer rates (Rec.Dose of Fertilizer and 75% RDF + 25%N through FYM) with and without mulching in sub-plots under clay loam soil having alkaline in reaction (pH-8.1),medium in soil organic carbon, available P & K and low in available N. It has been observed that higher plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production (g/m 2 ), number of plants/sqm, number of rows per cob, number of pods per plant, number of grains per cob and number of grains per pod grain yield, stover yield and harvest index was found under conventional tillage as compare to minimum tillage with mulching @ 5ton paddy straw in conjugation with 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM.Similarly higher cost of cultivation, gross return, net return, BC ratio was registered under conventional tillage as compare to minimum tillage with mulching @ 5ton paddy straw in conjugation with 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM.Significantly, higher microbial population was observed under minimum tillage, maize + soybean -wheat cropping system, and application of 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM.