Effect of okra and melon introduction on the productivity of yam minisetts in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Experiments were conducted in 2002 and 2003 cropping seasons (April – November) to determine the effect of okra and melon introduction on the productivity of yam minisetts. Okra, melon and okra/melon were introduced to the yam-minisett plots at 0, 5 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP) using a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Introduction at 10 WAP gave significantly higher tuber yields (P&#88050.05), and low yield of melon seeds than introductions made at 0 and 5 WAP. There was a 44% yam minisett tuber yield depression at 5 WAP in okra and okra/melon plots whereas; combinations with melon alone gave a 22% yam minisett tuber depression possibly because the melon crop failed. Introduction at 0 week, depressed the yields of yam minisett tubers by 41%, 39% and 48% respectively in the crop combinations with okra, melon and okra/melon. However, the high yields of melon seeds and okra fruits compensated for the depressed yield of yam-minisett tubers. This cropping system (introduction at 0 week) gave the highest gross monetary returns (N270,800.00) than introductions at 5 and 10 WAP. Keywords : okra and melon introduction, yam-minisett productivity, Southeastern Nigeria International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 6 2005: 188-194