Assessing Intercropping Population Models with Different Intercropping Efficiency Indices in a Cowpea/Maize Cropping System
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Date
2013-12-18
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Asian Academic Research Journal of Multidisciplinary
Abstract
Five component population ratios of cowpea and maize at two intercropping population models were studied during the 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons at Ejiba, located in southern Guinea savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The two intercropping models were :( i) additive at component population ratios of 1.00C: 0.75M, 1.00C: 0.50M and 1.00C:0.25M and ( ii) replacement at population ratios of 0.75C:0.25M and 0.50C:0.50M.Sole cowpea and maize were included as control treatments.
The treatments were factorially combined in a randomized complete block in three replicates. The intercropping efficiency was estimated using Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Land Equivalent Coefficient (LEC), Area Time Equivalent Ratios (ATER) and Monetary Equivalent Ratio (MER) .The additive population model was consistently superior to replacement model in the system suggesting its preference in cowpea/maize intercropping system. The results of the study also showed that the biological yield advantage translated to monetary advantage only in the late maturing cowpea/maize system in the additive population model of 1.00C:0.25M (1.35 and 1.33 in 2008 and 2009, respectively). Based on this study, the MER is a good index to measure profitability in intercropping system.