Productivity of an Intercropped Sweet Orange Orchard in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT At Ibadan southwestern Nigeria, juvenile Agege 1 sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) trees were intercropped with cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) + maize (Zea mays L.), egusi melon (Citrullus lanatus L.) followed by soyabeans (Glycine max (L.) Meril), or chilli pepper Capsicum frutescence L.) + amaranthus (Amaranthus caudatus L.) for four consecutive years. The aim was to determine an intercropping option which would yield high revenues without impairing the fruit yield of sweet orange. None of the intercrops significantly affected the height of sweet orange trees. However, all the intercrops significantly decreased the canopy diameter of sweet orange trees in the second year of intercropping. Intercropping with egusi melon followed by soyabeans, or cassava + maize significantly decreased the canopy volume of sweet orange trees. Intercropping with cassava + maize prevented early fruit set and significantly decreased fruit yield of sweet orange. Fruit yield of sweet orange intercropped with chilli pepper + amaranthus did not differ significantly from the yields of monocropped sweet orange trees. Intercropping with chilli pepper + amaranthus gave the highest yield efficiency of sweet orange trees. Net Present Value (NPV) of sweet orange plots monocropped or intercropped egusi melon followed by soyabeans, cassava + maize or chilli pepper + amaranthus were N-37900, N-300, N 105900 and N 154300 respectively. Since intercropping with chilli pepper + amaranthus gave the highest productivity without impairing fruit yield of sweet orange, this cropping system is recommended for adoption by citrus farmers in southwestern Nigeria.