The Root Distribution Pattern of Young Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis jacq) Grown in Association with Seasoned Crops in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Nigerian peasant farmers intercrop oil palm with selected food crops in the early stages of growth to maximize economic returns from the land. An experiment was initiated to study the influence of companion food crops on the root distribution patterns of young oil palm in southwest Nigeria. The experiment used a randomized complete block design (RCBE) with three replicates. There were ten treatments comprised of four sole cropping and six involving intercropping oil palm with soybean (Glycine max), maize (Zea mays) and cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium). Yields of food crops were significantly different among the various intercrops and cropping seasons. The highest soybean seed was recorded in the oil palm + soybean plot and the lowest in the oil palm + soybean + maize + cocoyam plot. Maize grain yields were highest in the oil palm + maize plot and lowest in the oil palm + soybean + maize + cocoyam plot. Cocoyam corm yields were highest in the oil palm + cocoyam plot and lowest in the oil palm + soybean + maize + cocoyam plot. The intercropped soybean, maize and cocoyam are useful for human consumption, animal feed and income. They play magnificent roles in nutrient cycling, erosion and weed control, water conservation, and maintenance of favorable soil physical properties in addition to reducing the risk of crop failure.