Growth Attributes of Component Crops in a Maize (Zea mays L.)/Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) Intercropping System as Influenced by Crop Arrangement and Proportion in Semi-Arid Nigeria

摘要

Field trials were conducted at Samaru, Nigeria during the 2004-2006 wet seasons to study the influence of to crop arrangement and proportion on the growth attributes of component crops in a maize-cowpea intercropping system. The treatments tested consisted of maize and cowpea intercrops with two forms of crop arrangement (intra- and inter-row), four different crop proportions (1C:1M, 3C:1M, 1C:3M and 2C:2M Cowpea:Maize) and two row arrangements (single- and paired-row) in factorial combinations. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Crop arrangement significantly affected the growth and growth characters of maize and cowpea intercrops. The inter-row crop arrangement produced taller maize plants and higher dry weight than the intra-row crop arrangement. The 1:1 and 1:3 (Cowpea:Maize) crop proportions produced taller maize plants than the 3:1 and 2:2 (Cowpea:Maize) crop proportions while the paired-row arrangement also produced taller maize plants with low dry weight compared to the single-row arrangement. The inter-row crop arrangement produced cowpea crop with moderate height, higher dry weight and wider canopy spread. The 3:1 (Cowpea:Maize) crop proportion produced wider cowpea canopy spread and higher dry matter weight but shorter plants compared to the other proportions. The paired-row arrangement produced taller cowpea plants with low dry matter weight. Researchers conclude that the vegetative growth of maize and cowpea plants in an intercropping system can be enhanced using the inter-row crop arrangement, 1:1 or 2:2 (Cowpea:Maize) crop proportions and paired-row arrangement for subsequent high maize grain yield. Alternatively by using inter-row arrangement, 3:1 (Cowpea:Maize) crop proportion and single-row arrangement for moderate maize grain yield but higher cowpea grain yield as well as soil fertility improvement through nitrogen fixation. The provision of cowpea haulms for livestock feed would be a bonus.