Relay intercropping of hybrid tomato (Lyeopersicon esculentum) in maize (Zea mays) under mid-hill condition of North-Western Himalayas

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2000 and 2001 at Hawalbagh, Almora. to Find out the most productive and remunerative relay intercropping combination of tomato (lycopersicon esculenium Mill. nom. cons.) in maize (Zea mays L.). Relay intercropping of tomato in maize reduced fruit yield of tomato by 12.1-31.5% compared to sole crop of tomato. Among the different combinations of relay intercropping of tomato in maize. 1 row of tomato within paired rows of maize (40/80 cm) and 2 rows of tomato between 2 paired rows of maize recorded the highest tomato fruit yield (38 052 kg/ha). All the relay intercropping combinations enhanced the total production in terms of maize-equivalent yield by 4.5-4.9 times over maize sole (7 656 kg/ha). Relay intercropping of tomato in maize in the row ratio of 1: 1 recorded the highest total production in terms of maize-equivalent yield (52 883 kg/ha), gross returns (Rs 2641 422/ha), net returns (Rs198 820/ha) and land-equivalent ratio (1.86), followed by relay intercropping of 1 row of tomato within paired rows of maize and 1 row of tomato between 2 paired rows (40/80 cm) of maize (maize-equivalent yield 52 244 kg/ha, gross returns Rs261 191/ha, net returns Rs196 055/ha and land-equivalent ratio 1.79). All the intercropping combinations recorded higher benefit : cost ratio (3.17-4.03) than sole maize treatments (163-1.74).