Abstract
A field experiment was conducted at the University of Uyo teaching and research farm, Uyo, Nigeria, during the 2020 and 2021 cropping season to evaluate the effect of timing of okra introduction in okra-ginger intercrop systems on the management of insect pests and the yield of okra. The experiment was arranged in a 3 x 2 split plot design arrangement of treatments, fitted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated three times. The timing of okra introduction (4, 6 & 8 weeks after planting ginger (WAP)) and intercropping systems (sole okra and okra-ginger intercrop) constituted the main plot and sub-plot respectively. Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using LSD. Results of the study showed that generally, intercrop system of okra-ginger performed better than okra sole crop in suppressing insect pests of okra and enhancing okra yield. Furthermore, introducing okra at 4 WAP ginger significantly (P≤0.05) recorded highest in pest populations and also produced highest yield (30.01 & 36.01 t/ha for 2020 & 2021, respectively). However, introducing okra at 8 WAP ginger into okra-ginger intercrop system significantly (P≤0.05) recorded lowest in pest populations and also produced the lowest yield (20.27 & 24.33 t/ha for 2020 & 2021, respectively). Introducing okra 4 WAP ginger in okra-ginger intercropping system combined with targeted pest management strategies is recommended to balance yield and pest control on okra effectively.
Published Version
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