Effect of intercropping on the ratoonability of sugarcane under NP fertilization

An experiment on intercropping of maize and mungbean in ratoon crop of sugarcane under N and P2O5 fertilization was carried out at NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar during 1999. The experiment was laid out in split plot arrangement having four replications, using net plot area of 30m2. Number of shoots / stump of sugarcane at month's interval and number of water shoots / stump after the grand growth period (September) were recorded. It was observed that maximum shoots / stump of sugarcane at 15th May. (12.5) and 15th June (14.27) was recorded in sole sugarcane. While minimum shoots / stump of sugarcane at 15th may (9.7) and 15th (16.6) was recorded with maize intercrop in ratoon sugarcane. In case of N and P2O5 levels, maximum number of shoot / stump of sugarcane at 15th April (8.91), 15th May (12.1) and 15th June (14.16) were recorded with 180-120 N and P2O5 kg ha-1. While minimum shoots / stump at 15th April (7.6), 15th May (10.7) and 15th June (12.4) were recorded in control plots. Maximum (1.55) water shoots / stump was recorded in maize intercrop in ratoon sugarcane and minimum water shoots / stump was recorded with 180-60 N and P2O5 ha-1. In case of N and P2O5 levels, control plots had maximum (1.49) water shoots / stump of sugarcane, while minimum (0.71) water shoots / stump of sugarcane was recorded with 180-60 N and P2O5 h-1.