Abstract
Field experiments involving cassava/maize intercrops under different plant population densities of maize were conducted during 2002 and 2003 cropping seasons on the research farm of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training situated at Ilora, Nigeria (7o 22? N, 3o 52? E). Results obtained in 2002 and 2003 consistently showed that increases in plant population density of maize in maize/cassava intercrop directly increased maize plant height at tasselling, plant height at harvest and plant lodging percentage, but reduced stalk diameter, average cob weight, dry matter yield and grain yield. Significantly least values (2.03 and 2.11 t/ha) were obtained from maize grain yield in 2002 and 2003 under 20,000 plants/ha while the highest values (3.28 and 3.55 t/ha) were obtained in 2002 and 2003 under 40,000 plants/ha. Results obtained in 2002 and 2003 showed that increased in plant population density of maize in cassava/maize intercropping system significantly affected the cassava plant height at 2 and 4 month after planting (MAP) and fresh tuber yield. Increased in plant population density of maize in cassava/maize intercrop did not significantly affect cassava plant height at 7 and 12 MAP. The highest values (25.9 and 25.3 t/ha) cassava fresh tuber were obtained in 2002 and 2003 under 20,000 plants/ha maize component. The least values (17.6 and 18.2 t/ha) were obtained in 2002 and 2003 under 80,000 plants/ha maize component.
Highlights
Field experiments involving cassava/maize intercrops under different plant population densities of maize were conducted during 2002 and 2003 cropping seasons on the research farm of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training situated at Ilora, Nigeria (7o 22′′ N, 3o 52′′ E)
The peasant farmers have long recognized the importance of intercropping as a farming practice in the tropics
Intercropping is widely practiced by small-scale farmers as a strategy for increasing crop yields, crop diversity and stability of crop production (Gomez & Gomez, 1983)
Summary
The peasant farmers have long recognized the importance of intercropping as a farming practice in the tropics. Maize is traditionally grown in intercrop with cassava (Agboola & Fayemi, 1971; Fagbamiye, 1977; Ikeorgu et al, 1984). In Nigeria, cassava and maize are the prominent crops in intercropping practices and have been widely studied (Ezumah et al, 1980). Jerome et al (1988) conducted an explanatory survey in Cameroon and found that maize was mainly intercropped with cassava, while Oyedokun et al (1989) observed that cassava is planted by most farmers once maize is established or just before maize matures or after it is harvested.
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