Abstract
AbstractCassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple food crop in Nigeria, but root yields hardly exceed 10 t ha−1. Intensification of small holders’ cassava production is key to improved food security and income generation. We tested, in two demonstration trials and 20 on‐farm trials, different intensification options: cassava growth type (erect and branching), fertilizer application (with and without), and cassava − legume arrangement (0.5 by 2 m/1 by 1 m spacing of cassava) in demonstration trials. In on‐farm trials, farmers tested a subset of these treatments. The demonstration trials had median cassava yields of about 20 (Akindele village) and 15 (Osunwoyin village) t ha−1. Fertilizer application increased the yield of the erect cassava variety. Cassava intercropped with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], reduced yield and the branching cassava variety produced lower yield than the erect variety. Median cowpea yields were about 1 and 1.5 t ha−1 pod yield. Median yields in the on‐farm trials were about 10 t ha−1. Intercropping with cowpea reduced cassava root yields (on average by 2.4 t ha−1), again, cowpea pod yields of 1−1.5 t ha−1 were attainable. In summary, this study confirmed that intensification measures need to be site and user or farmer specific.
Highlights
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple food crop in Nigeria (Otekunrin & Sawicka, 2019) and widely grown by small holder farmers, is emerging as a cash crop for many farmers who sell their harvest to processors (FAO & IFAD, 2005)
We considered T1−T4 as core treatments with a comparison of spacing and intercropping (2 m inter row spacing intercropped, 1 m inter row spacing, no intercrop) against fertilizer application, which were repeated at each site to improve statistical analysis
At the same time intercropping with cowpea reduced cassava root yield on average by about 4 t ha−1, but was not significant
Summary
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple food crop in Nigeria (Otekunrin & Sawicka, 2019) and widely grown by small holder farmers, is emerging as a cash crop for many farmers who sell their harvest to processors (FAO & IFAD, 2005). In Nigeria, cassava root yields tend to be low with less than 10 t ha−1 fresh root mass from 2012 to 2018 (FAOSTAT, 2020). Cassava is often grown in "slash-and-burn" or "slash-and-pack" systems following. Cassava is often intercropped with a range of crops: white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.), water yam (D. alata L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), egusi melon (Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin, Cucurbitaceae), maize (Zea mays L.), etc.; with maize being the most common intercrop and pulses or legumes being of little importance (Fawole & Oladele, 2007). Cassava is usually viewed as more important than its associated crops (Mutsaers, Ezumah, & Osiru, 1993). Cassava root yield losses and generally lower fresh root yields are observed when intercropped with groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], or Agronomy Journal. Cassava root yield losses and generally lower fresh root yields are observed when intercropped with groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], or Agronomy Journal. 2020;1–13
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