Identification of suitable legumes in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)-Legumes intercropping

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at Mekiredi (Amaro research site) in southern nation’s nationalities and peoples region of Ethiopia to determine suitable legume(s) in cassava legume intercropping during 2005 to 2008 crop seasons. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in 3 replications using cassava (cultivar Kelo) and 4 legume varieties including haricot bean (omo95), mung bean (boroda-1), soybean (Awassa-95), and cow pea (Maze). Intercropping cassava with haricot bean, cowpea, soybean and mung bean, reduces cassava yield by 27, 37, 52 and 50% respectively. However, intercropping cassava with haricot bean, cowpea, soybean and mung bean resulted in 82, 49, 48, and 62% greater land use efficiency than for either crop grown alone. Overall land equivalent ratio (LER) was greater than one when cassava intercropped with legumes. This suggested that the actual productivity was higher than expected when cassava was intercropped with grain legumes. Thus, farmers producing cassava have an option to plant with grain legumes such as haricot bean and mung bean so as to obtain alternative crops which minimize risk and use of the land more efficiently. Key words: Legumes, cassava, intercropping, soy bean, cow pea.