ASSESSMENT OF SORGHUM/OKRA INTERCROP PRODUCTIVITY, COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR AND PROFITABILITY IN SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH AGROECOLOGY, NIGERIA
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Date
2025-02-24
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Abstract
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