EFFECTS OF MAIZE – COWPEA INTERCROPPING PATTERNS ON YIELD AND PROPERTIES OF TYPIC PLINTHUSTALFS SOIL IN SOUTH GUINEA SAVANNA ZONE, NIGERIA
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Date
2024-04-08
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Ghana Journal of Science
Abstract
One of the factors preventing Nigeria’s agriculture from being more productive is its low
soil fertility. Adoption of maize-cowpea intercropping system is being promoted as one of
the options for improving soil fertility. A field experiment was carried out at Kwara State
University Teaching and Research Farm in 2018 cropping season to assess the effect of maizecowpea
intercropping patterns on yield and soil properties. The experiment was laid out in a
2×4 factorial split plot arrangement in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The spatial
row arrangement was the main block while population density was assigned to subplot. The
yields and physical-chemical properties of soils were examined after all crops were harvested.
Sole crop of both maize and cowpea was found to be significantly higher in yield parameters
than their intercrops. Intercropping had no significant influence on textural class, bulk density
and saturated hydraulic capacity of the soil. Soil total Nitrogen content was slightly increased
in 2:2 spatial arrangements except in 100M: 25C and sole cowpea compared to initial total
nitrogen. Soil organic matter at the intercrop increased as the population increased in 1:
1 arrangement whereas, the value was not consistent in 2:2 row arrangement. Population
density of (100M:100C) which produced (2151.94 for maize and 1813.64 kg/ha for cowpea)
and 1:1 row spatial arrangement with superior Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) value can be
recommended to the farmer. Also integrated fertility management strategy other than only
intercropping should be advocated