Browsing by Author "Afe, A. I"

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    ASSESSMENT OF SORGHUM/OKRA INTERCROP PRODUCTIVITY, COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR AND PROFITABILITY IN SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH AGROECOLOGY, NIGERIA
    (2025-02-24) Afe, A. I; Alagbe, Y.L
    Sorghum-okra intercropped at different population ratios and introduction periods were studied during the 2021 cropping season. Four population densities of okra (100 %, 75 %, 50 %, and 25 %) were introduced to sorghum three times [ same time (ST), two weeks before planting (2WBP) and two weeks after planting (2WAP)] in a factorial combination in a randomized complete block in split plot, replicated three times. Sole sorghum and okra were included in the treatments as a check. Regardless of population ratios, the yield of sorghum increased as the population density of okra decreased and with further delayed at the time of introduction. Land equivalent ratio (LER) demonstrated intercropping advantage at all population ratios and time of introduction. The area time equivalent ratio (ATER) index, however, indicated no meaningful intercropping advantage. Competitive ratio (CR) showed that okra was more competitive than sorghum when full populations of both crops were intercropped at all times of introduction. Interestingly, however, reduction in the population of okra to 75 % and below, sorghum was more competitive than okra. The Aggressivity (A) values were positive for okra and negative for sorghum when it was planted two weeks ahead of sorghum (2WBP). Monetary advantage (MA) was positive in all the treatments. The discrepancy and inconsistency among the indices for assessing intercropping efficiency suggest that using one index may be misleading and hence, an appropriate index should be used based on the objective of the grower
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    EFFECTS OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZERS ON THE GROWTH AND FRUIT YIELD OF WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus LINN.) IN SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA, NIGERIA
    (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, 2021-05-31) Yakubu, Z.; Afe, A. I; Gudugi, I.A.S; Ibrahim H.M; Ibrahim,R.O
    The effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers on the performance water melon (Citrullus lanatus Linn.) were determined during the 2018 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and Gwagwalada (Kutunku),Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The experiment was a 4 x 4 factorial laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).). Four levels of N and P fertilizer at 0, 30, 60, and 90kg/ha and 0, 10, 20, and 30 kg/ha were combined into a total of 16 treatments combinations. The variety used was sugar baby early maturing (70 to 75 days after planting). The different levels of fertilizer were applied at three weeks after planting. Soil characterization was also done on the study areas. Data were collected on growth and yield parameters. The results show that vine length and number of lateral branches were signicantly inuenced by N and P application in the study area. More numbers of marketable fruits were obtained from plots treated with higher N and P as compared with those treated with lower N and P from both sites. At higher N and P application, the seed yield in Federal University of Technology, Minna farm and Gwagwalada (Kutunku) were all better than the control. Application of 90kg N/ha and 30kg/ha P gave the highest yield of seed of 0.9 and 0.8 tons at Federal University of Technology, Minna farm and Gwagwalada (Kutunku) respectively. Application of fertilizers had signicant elongation of vine, produces more lateral branches, signicantly higher marketable fruits and increased seed yield and general performance of watermelon.The signicant edge in performance of Gwagwalada over Minna in growth parameter could be attributed to the rainfall distribution in 2018 cropping season