Relative uptake of32P by cassava, banana, elephant foot yam and groundnut in intercropping systems

Abstract

Absorption of applied32P by the treated as well as neighbouring plants in two- and three-crop intercropping systems involving cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), banana (Musa (AAB) ‘Mysore’), elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus Blume) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) was studied in field trials. Radiophosphorus applied to the root zone of one of the component species in the mixed systems was found to be absorbed not only by the treated plant but also by the neighbouring plants. Banana was the most dominant species in the cassava-banana-elephant foot yam intercropping system and accumulated the major portion of the radioactivity recovered in the whole system. Cassava planted on raised mounds absorbed32P from the root zones of elephant foot yam and banana growing in the interspaces. Absorption of32P from cassava mounds by elephant foot yam was negligible.