Mixed cropping in maize means growing one or more crops along with maize in the same field at the same time. Many farmers in India prefer this system because it reduces risk, improves income stability, and makes better use of land, water, and nutrients. If maize fails due to drought, pests, or price fall, the companion crop can still give returns. Mixed cropping is also useful for improving soil fertility, controlling weeds, and reducing pest pressure when the right crop combination is chosen.
Maize is a tall and fast-growing crop, so it creates shade after a few weeks. That is why the companion crop should be selected carefully. In the early stage, maize grows slowly for 15–20 days, and the intercrop can establish well. Later, maize becomes tall, and the intercrop should be able to tolerate partial shade or should mature early. Farmers usually choose pulses, oilseeds, or short-duration crops with maize, depending on the season and local market.
One of the most popular mixed cropping systems is maize with pulses. Crops like cowpea, green gram (moong), black gram (urad), soybean, or pigeon pea (arhar) are often grown with maize. Pulses fix nitrogen from the air and improve soil health. They also cover the soil surface, reducing weed growth and moisture loss. In many rainfed areas, maize + pigeon pea is common because pigeon pea grows slowly at first, and later it continues after maize harvest, giving an extra crop without much extra land. Maize + cowpea is another good option, especially when cowpea is grown for fodder or grain.
Maize is also mixed with oilseeds like groundnut or sesame in some regions. Maize + groundnut is useful because groundnut covers the ground and reduces erosion, while maize grows upward. This combination works well when soil fertility and moisture are good. In some places, maize is also mixed with sunflower, but management becomes more complex due to nutrient competition, so it needs good planning.
In hilly and tribal areas, maize is often grown with beans, cucurbits, or traditional crops. Many farmers grow maize with rajma or local beans, where the bean plant uses maize stalk as support. This traditional system can give good household food and improves land use.
For successful mixed cropping, spacing and seed rate are very important. If maize is planted too densely, the intercrop will not get enough light and will yield poorly. A common method is to plant maize in wider rows and sow the intercrop in between. For example, farmers may keep maize rows at 60–75 cm and sow pulses or groundnut in the inter-row space. Another method is paired row planting, where two maize rows are close together and a wider space is left for the intercrop. This makes intercrop management easier and improves sunlight availability.
Nutrient and water management should be planned for both crops. Many farmers make the mistake of applying fertilizer only for maize. If the intercrop is ignored, it will not give good yield. However, avoid excessive nitrogen because it can increase maize growth too much and shade the intercrop. Balanced fertilizer and timely irrigation help both crops perform well. In rainfed areas, moisture conservation practices like mulching, inter-cultivation, and timely weeding become more important.
Weed control can be easier in mixed cropping because the intercrop covers the soil and reduces weed emergence. But in the early stage, one weeding is still important because both crops are young and weeds compete strongly. Pest and disease management also becomes more balanced. Mixed cropping often reduces the spread of certain pests because the field is not a single crop only. Still, regular monitoring is needed.
In simple terms, mixed cropping in maize is a practical way to reduce risk and improve profit. Maize with pulses is one of the best combinations for soil health and stable returns. Success depends on choosing the right intercrop, maintaining proper spacing, and managing nutrients and moisture for both crops. When done correctly, mixed cropping can give better overall income than maize alone, while also improving the long-term health of the soil.
