Abstract
Despite efforts to demonstrate the value of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) ( Ipomoea batatas L.) and quality protein maize ( Zea mays L.) in combating vitamin A and protein malnutrition, small land holdings by rural poor farmers still limit the crops’ overall production in Africa. As such, intercropping and optimum plant density in cropping systems will help farmers to improve productivity of the crop, and hence, improve household food and nutrition security. This study determined the effect of maize plant population, in a sweetpotato-maize intercrop, on yields and β-carotene content of two popular OFSP cultivars, Ejumula and NASPOT 9 O (Kabode). Each variety was intercropped with maize variety Longe 5, at three plant densities (i.e. 41,666, 55,555 and 88,888 plants ha -1 ), at Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Uganda. While 55,555 plants of each OFSP cultivar were used for both sole and intercrops, the sole maize plot was 44,444 plants ha -1 . Maize and sweetpotato were harvested at 120 and 135 days after planting, respectively. β-carotene content and yield in sweetpotato roots were significantly (P 1.2 were obtained at maize intercrop densities of 41,666 and 55,555 plants ha -1 . Keywords: Ipomoea batatas , land equivalent ratio, Zea mays
Highlights
Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) ranks third among the staple crops in Eastern and Central Africa sub-region (CIP, 2015)
leaf area index (LAI) was higher in season two (3.80) than in season one (2.66)
LAI means for SPMaize density 1 and sole sweetpotato were significantly lower than sweetpotato-maize densities 2 and 3
Summary
Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) ranks third among the staple crops in Eastern and Central Africa sub-region (CIP, 2015). Bio-fortified crops like QPM and OFSP were introduced in Uganda, but one of the challenges to their wide adoption is shortage of land due to the increasing human population (UBOS, 2007), which impedes expansion of other crop varieties as well. In such situations, intensive cropping practices such as intercropping are recommended (Lithourgidis et al, 2011). This study was, designed to investigate the productivity of OFSP varieties and QPM in intercrop at varying plant densities of the latter and to determine the effect of intercropping on β-carotene content and yield of OFSP
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