Crop productivity and land use efficiency in cassava-maize system as influenced by cowpea and melon populations

Crop productivity and land use efficiency in cassava-maize system as influenced by cowpea and melon populations

2000

A:PS

A three-year (1989-91) field study was conducted to assess the effect of cowpea-melon populations on crop productivity and land equivalent ratios (LERs) in a cassava-maize system in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria. A split-plot design replicated thrice was used. Cropping systems constituted the main plot and crop populations the sub-plots. Cassava and maize were planted at populations of 10000 and 20 plants/ha, respectively, cowpea at 20000, 33000, and 50000 plants/ha, and melon at 5000, 10000, and 15 plants/ha. A higher number of cassava storage roots per plant and fresh root yield, number of maize grain seed per cob, and grain yield in the intercrop were produced at the low cowpea population (20000 plants/ha). However, cowpea and melon populations showed no significant effect on cassava and maize harvest indices irrespective of the season of planting. Intercropping generally reduced the number of cowpea pods by 35% and also the number of seeds per pod. Melon pod number per plant and seed number per pod were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by intercropping. Cowpea grain and melon seed yields increased with increase in populations. Cowpea and melon indices were not affected by cowpea and melon populations. Grain yield and seed yield components of cowpea and melon were significantly (P < 0.05) high in the sole crop due to the absence of competition from companion crops. The cassava + maize + cowpea + melon system resulted in the highest LERs of 2.29, 2.62, and 3.12 in 1989, 1990, and 1991, respectively, due to the low population combination of 20000 cowpea plants with 5000 to 10000 melon plants/ha. The lowest LERs (2.19, 2.12, and 2.31 for the three respective years) were obtained from the highest population combinations of 50000 cowpea plants and 15000 melon plants/ha. This suggested an effectively-balanced competition among the crop species leading to 37-63%, 41-49%, and 26-70% greater LER for 1989, 1990, and 1991, respectively, than if the crops were grown sole.

v.77(3):150-155, TROPICAL AGRICULTURE

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