<div>Background: The usage of banana waste pseudostems has drawn more attention in recent years. Additionally, it is said that these banana waste components are rich in vitamins and minerals, notably dietary fibre. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of substituting dietary maize with sun dried banana pseudostem (BP) in their feed on performances of crossbred grower pigs.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The current study was carried out between 2020-2021 on forty eight (48) Hampshire crossbred grower pigs, that were randomly divided and allotted to 4 compounded dietary treatments by replacing dietary maize with sun dried BP by 0% (T0), 10% (T1), 20% (T2) and 30% (T3) in their ration. By modifying the amounts of maize with BP, all compounded diets were rendered isonitrogenous and isocaloric. 
 
Result: Results indicated significant (p&lt;0.05) improvement in the total body weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) in both male and female crossbred pigs fed ration T2 in comparison to the other groups. The performances of the both female and male pigs were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower when dietary levels of BP were increased up to 30% (T3). The feed cost/kg live weight gain in group T2 was significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than the control group in both the sexes. In conclusion, crossbred grower pigs can tolerate up to 20% dietary substitution of maize with BP in the ration without compromising their growth, blood biochemical parameters, reproductive performances and carcass quality. Incorporation of 20% sun dried BP resulted in lowered feed cost.</div>

Effect of Feeding Sun Dried Banana Pseudostem as a Partial Replacement of Dietary Maize on Performance and Production Economics of Crossbred Grower Pigs

Maize is among the most preferred crop in Tanzania and other parts of the world. However, its production has been facing a number of challenges. Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) is a new challenge in Eastern Africa. The control of MLND is said to be complicated as it is caused by a combination of more than one virus viz. Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV) and Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV). Stakeholders agree that the priority is to identify MLND resistant maize varieties. Genetic diversity provides the source of traits required against maize production challenges such as MLND. The study of genetic diversity in maize accessions often involves characterizing morphological plant characteristics as well as molecular marker techniques to study variation at DNA level. This review explores different literatures that address the importance of genetic diversity and the possibility of generating information towards obtaining potential materials against maize challenges and MLND in particular.

Genetic diversity of maize accessions for maize&nbsp;lethal necrosis disease resistance

Background: Intercropping is the practice of growing two or more crops nearby: in the same row or bed, or rows or strips near enough to allow biological interactions. Advantages of inter cropping include: improving soil&rsquo;s nutrients to better support crops&#39; growth and development thus improving yields; it improves soil-water retention and diversifies the farmers&#39; incomes in case of failure for one crop. It is one of the natural methods for management of crop pests and diseases. Inter cropping maize and beans is one of the climate-smart agricultural approaches used to boost crop production across the globe. However, some smallholder farmers have a negative attitude toward it due to limited knowledge regarding its benefits. The study aimed at establishment of the effect of intercropping maize and beans on the maize yields in Isingiro District, South Western Uganda. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted in two seasons (March-May 2020 and August- November 2021). Standard agronomical practices were followed from planting to harvesting, after which the dry weight of maize was measured and recorded. Data analysis was done using ONEWAY ANOVA in R Software Version 4.2.2.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Results show that intercropping maize and beans in season one significantly increased maize yields (p&lt;0.001) more than it did in season two (p=0.0211). The main effect of Season is statistically significant and large (p&lt;.001). The main effect of Treatment is statistically significant and large (p&lt;.001). The study concluded that&nbsp; reduced rainfall negatively affects maize yields and intercropping Longe5 with NABE16 increases maize yields. Early planting and good agronomic practices were recommended to improve maize productivity.

Determinants of Maize Production: Intercropping Maize and Beans in South Western Uganda

<div>Background: Cluster bean was cultivated as a catch crop without external fertilization, solely to recharge the soil fertility and to harvest the residual nutrient after maize crop; clusterbean had been included as a succeeding crop. Doubling the fertilizer for maize would leave more residues. Even though maize is an exhaustive crop, since the nutrient uptake was need based, the excess fertilizers were effectively utilized by cluster bean.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field research was carried out at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore under irrigated conditions. Experimental trials were adopted to estimate the effect of high density with nutrient management practices on maize which influences the performance of succeeding cluster bean under maize-cluster bean cropping sequence during Rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 by using cultivar Pusa Naubahar. No separate treatments were adapted to cluster bean crop.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of cluster bean sown after the high density of 1,33,333 plants ha-1 maize with nutrient level of 200 per cent RDF produced taller plants, higher drymatter production (636 and 607 kg/ha), increased yield attributes, higher yield (6.58 and 6.81 t/ha) and better economics (B:C ratio -1.87 and 1.94) in both the seasons. Post-harvest available nutrient status revealed that the higher population by closer spacing with increased fertilizer levels (T7) maintained its superiority during both the years. Moreover, this proved to be the most viable practice for production and residual nutrient uptake, by including pulse (cluster bean) as succeeding crop and soil health was effectively maintained by fixing atmospheric nitrogen by cluster bean.</div>

Effect of Maize High Density Planting on Cluster Bean Performance under Maize-cluster Bean Cropping Sequence

Background: This research aims to determine the effectiveness of varying planting patterns and nutrient application on maize biomass, yields and light capture in a maize-soybean intercrop production. Its goal is to enhance resource efficiency, increase yields, as well as facilitate sustainable management by analysing effects of planting geometry, nutrient supply and light encoded for the two crops. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The experiment was conducted during kharif season 2023, The treatment consists of four cropping systems in main plots (sole maize (M1), maize + soybean 1:1(M3), maize + soybean 1:2 (M4), maize + soybean 2:3 (M5)) and five nutrient sources in sub plot ((S1) control, (S2) 100% RDF, (S3)70% RDF with two foliar application of Nano NPK, (S4) 70% RDF with two foliar application of Homemade NPK, (S5) 70% RDF&nbsp; with two foliar application Plant extracts) with three replication under split plot design. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The experimental results revealed that, sole maize (M1) recorded significantly highest growth attributes i.e. no. of leaves (12.66 plant-1), LAI at maturity (3.85), specific leaf weight (6.12 g cm-2) and leaf area duration (140.91 days), compared to rest of cropping systems. Similarly, 70% RDF with two foliar application of plant extract produced biomass yield by 18% and 48.03% more light transmission ratio over the control. Hence, application of 70% RDF with two foliar sprays of plant extract enhanced crop growth and biomass of sole maize, it can be recommended to the farmer.

Influence of Planting Systems and Nutrient Management on Maize Growth, Yield and Light Interception in a Maize-soybean Intercropping System

<div style="text-align: justify;">Studies were conducted on the chemical, functional, pasting properties of the flour blends and sensory properties of ukpo oka formulated from of maize- African yam bean flour (AYBF) in order to improve the nutritional content of maize and encourage a wider utilization of the legume AYB. Supplementation of maize and African yam flour was done at 100:0, 50:50, 80:20, 60:40 and 20:80 maize: African yam bean flour, respectively. Proximate composition, functional properties, pasting properties of the flour blends was determined and sensory attributes of the products were also evaluated. The result showed that supplementation of maize with African yam bean flour significantly increased the protein, ash and fiber content of the flour blends with values ranging from 3.91 - 11.08%, 2.90 - 6.60%, 0.67 - 1.82% for protein, ash and fiber contents respectively. The protein, ash and fiber contents increased with addition of African yam bean flour while carbohydrate content of maize- African yam bean blends decreased with increase in the level of African yam bean. The values for functional properties ranged from 0.72 &ndash; 0.82g/ml, 99.33 &ndash; 323.33%, 9.01 &ndash; 19.65%, 690.00 - 978.33%, 0.67 &ndash; 1.13%, 0.484 &ndash; 1.038% for bulk density, foaming capacity, emulsion capacity, swelling capacity, water absorption capacity and oil absorption capacity respectively. Values for pasting properties of the flour blends expressed in rapid visco unit (RVU) ranges from 129.25 &ndash; 209.40, 22.55 &ndash; 67.93, 60.21 &ndash; 124.62 , &nbsp;145.25 &ndash; 247.67 , 83.37 &ndash; 84.56 , 5.47 &ndash; 5.97 &nbsp;and 87.19 &ndash; 141.35 for peak viscosity, break down viscosity, set back viscosity, final viscosity, pasting temperature, peak time and trough respectively. Set back viscosity and final viscosity increased with increase in the levels of African yam bean while break down viscosity decrease with the increase in the levels of African yam bean. &nbsp;The products were highly rated in all sensory attributes evaluated however aroma decreases with increase in the levels of AYBF. &nbsp;Product made from flour blend 50:50 was the most preferred in terms of general acceptability.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Chemical, Pasting and Sensory Characteristics of Ukpo oka - A Steamed Maize Pudding Formulated From Maize and African Yam Bean Flour</div>

Background: A recent occurrence of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) a new invasive pest in Africa attained epidemic form in 2016.&nbsp; Consequently, researchers probed various ecofriendly methods to manage the pest. The effect of intercropping cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] with fodder maize (Zea mays L.) on the incidence of FAW was investigated.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The maize fodder was protected against FAW by intercropping with cowpea along with a biorational product, Brahamastra and compared with the recommended&nbsp; insecticide used to manage the insect by conducting field experiments during kharif 2020, 2021 and 2022 comprising the eight treatments viz. T1: Maize + Cowpea 1:1 ratio (unsprayed); T2: Maize + Cowpea 1:1 ratio (coragen @ 100 ml ha-1); T3: Maize + Cowpea 1:1 ratio (brahamastra @ 12.5 litre ha-1 sprayed); T4: Maize sole (brahamastra @ 7.5 litre ha-1 sprayed); T5: Maize sole (brahamastra @ 10.0 litre ha-1 sprayed); T6: Maize sole (Brahamastra @ 12.5 litre ha-1 sprayed); T7: Maize sole (coragen 18.5 SC @ 100 ml ha-1 sprayed as standard check) and T8: Maize sole (Unsprayed). The plot size for each treatment was 500 m2, demarcating 5 x 4 m2 for sampling with three replications in a completely randomized design (CRBD). 
 
Result: The treatments, Maize + Cowpea (1:1 row) (Coragen @ 100 ml ha-1 sprayed) and Maize sole (Coragen @ 100 ml ha-1 sprayed) though had significantly the&nbsp; lowest pooled pest incidence and the highest per cent reduction over control (PROC), the bio-rational applied on maize + Cowpea (1:1 row) (brahamastra @ 12.5 litre ha-1 sprayed) encounted the&nbsp; lowest pest incidence, the highest PROC combined with the highest fodder yield and economic returns without any statistical singnificant difference with&nbsp; Maize + Cowpea (1:1 row) (unsprayed).

Impact of Cowpea-maize Intercropping and Bio-rational Product on Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) in Fodder Maize

Background: A combination of maize and legume, cabbage and potato in intercropping benefits the agricultural production system due to different peak period of growth and synergistic effects, which reflected into yield advantage. In order to reduce nutritional competition and the yield gaps between actual production and production potential for both crops in the intercropping system, more information is required for the optimization of maize-based intercropping systems. So, keeping above fact in mind, the present study was undertaken to find out the suitable rabi maize based intercropping system for augmenting productivity and profitability of maize. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted on the farmer&rsquo;s field of selected villages of KVK Bhagalpur (on-farm trials) during the winter (rabi) season of 2020-21 and 2021-22 on rabi maize to validate, refine and popularize the technology developed at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur (Bihar) and ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), Ludhiana, for enhancing the productivity and profitability of rabi maize. The experiment, comprising four treatments, viz., sole rabi maize (farmer&rsquo;s practice), maize + potato (1:1 row ratio), maize + vegetable pea (1:2 row ratio) and maize + cabbage (1:1 row ratio), was arranged in a randomized block design (RBD) with five replications. All five farmers selected for experimentation were treated as replications. 
 
Result: Experimental results revealed that all three intercropping associations of maize + vegetable pea (1:2 row ratio), maize + potato (1:1 row ratio), maize + vegetable pea (1:2 row ratio) and maize + cabbage (1:1 row ratio) produced significantly higher maize equivalent yields than the sole crop of rabi maize. However, among the intercropping systems, maize + vegetable pea (1:2 row ratio) produced the highest maize equivalent yield (241.0 q/ha) and significantly incurred the highest net return (322093 ₹ /ha), as well as a higher B: C ratio (6.04) than the rest of the intercropping systems as well as sole crop of rabi maize.

Evaluation of Rabi Maize-based Intercropping System for Augmenting the Productivity and Profitability of Rabi Maize under Irrigated Conditions of Bihar

<div>Background: Maize is the third most important food crop in India. Conventionally it is a furrow irrigated crop and hence, it calls for an effective on-farm management of water in field through micro irrigation. Intensive agriculture practice like continuous monocropping without following the principles of crop rotation and sequence have resulted in several ecological complications. Hence, blackgram was introduced as a succeeding crop after drip irrigated maize. The aim of the study was to examine the residual effect of drip irrigation levels and maize genotypes and their interaction on succeeding crop i.e. blackgram.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: During summer 2018 and 2019, maize experiment was conducted with four irrigation levels (drip irrigation at 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 ETc and furrow irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio) and four maize genotypes (NK-6240, Pinnacle, CP-818 and RCRMH-2). After maize, succeeding blackgram was taken up under rainfed condition of Dharwad during kharif 2018 and 2019.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Performance of blackgram was superior under residual effect of drip irrigation treatments over furrow irrigation method. Among the interactions, significantly higher yield, RWUE and net returns were recorded with residual effect of I1G4 treatment combination. However, it was on par with I1G2, I1G3, I1G1, I2G1, I2G2, I2G4, I3G2 and I3G3 treatment combinations.</div>

Residual Effect of Irrigation Levels and Maize Genotypes on Performance of Succeeding Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) in Maize-blackgram Sequence Cropping

<div>Background: Continuous rice cultivation has a negative effect on sustainable rice production. Crop rotation can increase the yield and soil quality. This study aimed to provide information on the morpho-physiological fingerprints of rice cultivars in different crop rotation systems. 
 
Methods: Twelve rice cultivars were evaluated in terms of their morpho-physiological in three crop rotation systems, i.e., rice-rice-rice, maize-maize-rice (M-M-R) and vegetable-vegetable-rice, at the Agrotechnology Innovation Center, Universitas Gadjah Mada at Berbah District, Sleman Regency, Special Province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from December 2020 to June 2021. 
 
Result: The results revealed an interaction between rice cultivars and the crop rotation system, with the effects observed on the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in the leaf tissue (NC, PC and KC, respectively), crop growth rate, total dry weight per clump, empty grain per clump (EG) and grain weight per clump (GWC). The increase in NC, PC and KC positively affected the increase in GWC. The GM 8 cultivar in the M-M-R crop rotation system showed lowest EG of 3% and highest GWC of 133.90 g clump-1.</div>

Studies on Morpho-physiological Fingerprints of Rice Cultivars in Rice Crop in Rice-Rice-Rice, Maize-Maize-Rice and Vegetable-Vegetable-Rice Cropping Systems