Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Research Articles

Maize (Zea Mays L.) Response to Deficit Irrigation Levels at Different Growth Stages on its Yield and Water Use Efficiency at Koka, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Water scarcity is among the major limitations for crop production. Improving water use efficiency of irrigated crops through water management options is crucial in water scarce areas. Field experiment was carried out at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center Koka Research site, to investigate the effect of water stress at different growth stage on yield and water use efficiency of maize. one optimum irrigation and eight growth stage based deficit levels(100% ETC at all growth stages, 75% ETC at all growth stages, 50% ETC at all growth stages, 75% ETC at development growth stage, 50% ETC at development growth stage, 75% ETC at mid growth stage, 50% ETC at mid growth stage, 75% ETC at late growth stage and 50% ETC at late growth stage) were imposed on maize (Zea mays L.) variety Melkassa II as a treatment and laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results indicated that the different levels of growth stage based deficit levels had significant (p<0.01) effect on crop yield, harvest index and water use efficiency. Grain yield reduced with increased stress, whereas water use efficiency was increased with stress level increased. The highest grain yield of 6.4 t/ha and WUE of 1.01 kg/m3 were obtained at 100% ETC and 50% ETC at all growth stages, respectively. Also, 75% ETC at development stage and late stage treatments showed no significant variation with 100% ETC in grain yield. Water use efficiency observed at 75% ETC all growth stages treatment was statistically similar with that of 50% ETC at all growth stages treatment. Grain yield obtained from 50% ETC at mid growth stage was similar with 50% ETC at all growth stages, and water use efficiency was the least and this shows that maize was sensitive to moisture stress at mid growth stage than development and late growth stages. Therefore, maize could be irrigated at 75% ETC at all growth stages and by stressing development or late growth stages up to 50% ETC to increase water use efficiency with a small grain yield reduction for stressed scenario and for non stressed scenario with 100% ETC at all growth stages.

Determination of Optimal Soil Moisture Depletion Levels for Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) at Wondo Genet, Ethiopia

Determining allowable soil moisture depletion level is critical for determining proper irrigation scheduling. The study was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia, latitude 8°25'59'', longitude 39°01'44''and altitude of 1800 m.a.s.l to determine optimal soil moisture depletion level for sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Six levels of soil moisture depletion (20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 100% of total available water (TAW) of the soil), with three replication were used as treatments to evaluate the yield and yield component of sweet basil in randomized complete block design. Different levels of soil moisture depletion levels significantly affected all recorded yield and yield components of sweet basil including its water productivity. Significantly higher yield and yield components were associated with frequently irrigated treatment under lower soil moisture depletion levels before irrigation. However, when sweet basil was irrigated beyond 40% TAW lowest yield and yield components were recorded. Therefore, sweet basil could be irrigated when the soil moisture content is depleted by 40% of the total available water content in the soil to enhance yield and water use efficiency in the study area and similar agro ecologies.

Effect of Seed Storage Duration and Methods on Growth and Yield of Basil Variety

The experiment was conducted at Wondogenet Agricultural Research Center to determine the effect of seed storage period and methods on the growth and yield of basil. Basil seeds stored in three storage methods (Plastic jar, Polypropylene, and Cotton bags) for six storage periods (initial period, one, three, six, nine, and twelve months) were used to evaluate the impact of the treatments on the yield and performance in the field. The field experiment was arranged by using RCBD design with three replications. The data were taken at the 90% physiological maturity stage. The results showed a significant difference between the treatments. The results indicated that the interaction effects of basil seed storage time and methods had a significant (P<0.05) effect on Primary Branch Number, Plant Height, Umbrella length, Dry, and Fresh biomass. The umbrella number of the storage methods had an accelerating trend with raising storage duration to 3 months storage, after that it shows a declining trend with raising storage time. The two storage methods plastic jar and bag maintained the seed in good condition for 3 months further, storage of the seed leads to the shortest plant and umbrella length. The highest dry biomass was recorded at 3 months stored seed in a plastic bag which was not significantly different from 3 months stored seed in a plastic jar. Basil dry biomass for the jar stored seed ranged from 0.85 to 3.33, 0.91 to 3.42 ton/ha for plastic bag whereas for the cotton bag, it ranged from 0.6 to 2.26 ton/ha. In general, seeds stored for three months had shown better growth and yield.

Survey of Major Diseases on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Growing Areas of Ethiopia

Medicinal and aromatic plants are industrial plant that are primarily used for therapeutic, aromatic and culinary purposes as components of cosmetics, medicinal products, health foods and other natural health products. Like other cereal crops, these potential medicinal and aromatic plants are constantly in grave danger from disease attack. The aim of this study was to assess the most prevalent diseases on prioritized medicinal and aromatic plants. Survey was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural research stations and herb growing companies in Ethiopia. Survey fields were observed from vegetative to maturity stage of the plant to assess the pest status. A total of 11 medicinal and aromatic plants were assessed in four different locations and these herbs were attacked by various diseases. Rust disease was the most serious problem on Aloe vera and Lemon grass, accounting for 30-40 percent of disease severity at Wondo Genet. In Butajira, powdery mildew was the most common disease found on sage, with a 20 percent severity. Downy mildew was recorded as a major disease on basil plants in Hawassa and Debre Zeit, with a 30-35 percent severity. Therefore, identification of the pathogen's causing agents and integrated disease management for the major recorded diseases of medicinal and aromatic plants needs further research.

Optimizing Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Planting Densities and Row Arrangements in Tomato-Basil Intercropping System

A field experiment was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center under irrigated conditions during 2018, to evaluate the performance of tomato yield and yield components under an intercropping system with different basil planting densities and row arrangements. it was arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications each consisting of ten treatments: two basil row arrangements (one tomato row alternating with one basil row (1T:1B) or with two basil rows (1T:2B)) and four basil population densities (66666, 50000, 33333 and 16666 plants ha -1). Results of the study indicated that intercropping system significantly (p<0.05) affected the yield and yield components of tomato. Inter-cropped tomato with basil had the highest yield (36657.8 kg ha-1) as compared to sole cropped tomato (31004.3kg ha-1) and inter-cropping with basil increased its yield by 15.42%. Therefore, basil with a density of 33,333 plants ha-1and intercropped with tomato with 1T:1B row arrangement could be recommended for the wondo genet and similar agroecology area. However, the effect of tomato-basil intercropping on the incidence and severity of major tomato insects and diseases needs further study.

Cost-benefit Analysis and Financial Feasibility of Rosemary Production in Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center experimental field from January 2018 to March 2021. The study examined the financial feasibility of WG-Rosemary-III rosemary variety for fresh herbs and WG-Rosemary-II rosemary variety for dry herb production. For this study, both rosemary varieties were planted on 100m2 land areas with an intra and inter-row spacing of 60cm. All cost and benefit data were collected during the cultivation period. The study utilized financial analysis methods such as net present value (NPV) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) to analyze the feasibility of their production. The study found that the net present value of production of WG-rosemary-III for fresh herbs was ETB 2,603,219.63 per hectare in its entire three years of production, indicating that its production is financially feasible. The benefit-cost ratio of production of WG-rosemary-III for fresh herbs was 7.94 which indicates that a 1 ETB outlay for this rosemary production results in a net return of ETB 6.94 per hectare. Besides, the net present value of production of WG-rosemary-II for dry herb was ETB 1,186,051.02 per hectare in its entire three-year course of production, which indicates that its production is financially feasible. The benefit-cost ratio of production of WG-rosemary-II for dry herbs was 4.22 which indicates that a 1 ETB outlay for this rosemary production results to gain a net return of ETB 3.22. The results indicate that the production of these rosemary varieties is profitable. Therefore, the government and other concerned stakeholders should further scale up the production of these rosemary technologies through training and awareness creation for farmers and investors through extension agents, thereby these rosemary technologies are utilized as a significant source of income and contribute to the enhancement of household well-being.

Evaluation of the nutritive value of sugar cane tops and its silage at Wondogenet, Sidama, Ethiopia

The study was conducted at Wondogenet Agricultural Research Center to investigate the effect of urea and urea plus molasses treatment on nutritive value of sugarcane tops and its silage. The green sugarcane top that was purchased from the surrounding farmers during the harvesting time was chopped to the favorable size for silage and ensiled with or without 1% molasses, 4% urea and 4% urea + 1% molasses in plastic silos for 21 days. Results revealed that dry matter content of the silage varied between 30.13 % and 41.86%, protein content between 5.33% and 12.49%, ash content between 2.3% and 9.03%, NDF content between 64.84% and 73.1%, ADF content between 39.09% and 41.79%, pH between 4.15 and 4.47, Fleig score between 86.46 and 111.52, digestibility of dry matter between 56.3% and 58.4%, dry matter intake between 1.6% and 1.9%, relative feed value between 74.1 and 83.4, depending on the urea and urea plus molasses treated additives. Sugarcane top ensiled with urea-based additives showed better CP content than the treatments without additive and treated with molasses. Sugarcane top silage of the current study was of bad and/or unacceptable quality in terms of the NDF ratio and good and/or medium in terms of the ADF ratio according to the roughage quality standard for farm animals. In terms of the Fleig score, it was determined that the quality of the sugarcane top silage could be classified as “very good” (Fleig score >85) and the pH value of ≤ 4.53, was within the acceptable range in quality silage. Generally, adding urea and urea plus molasses additives improved nutritional value and utilization of sugarcane top silage.

Screening and selection of Brachiaria brizantha accessions for forage values under irrigation at Wondo Genet, Sidama, Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted to evaluate different Brachiaria brizantha accessions at the Wondo genet agricultural research center to identify species/accessions so as to use the better performing ecotype for wider distribution among livestock producer communities in the country. Seven Brachiaria grass accessions (B. brizantha, 13151; B. brizantha, 13368; B. brizantha, 13653; B. brizantha, 16550; B. humidicola, 9222; B. brizantha, 13379 and B. mutica,) were used as treatments in randomized complete block design with three replications. The overall dry matter yield for B. humidicola, 9222 (5.95t/ha), and B. mutica, (5.61t/ha) accessions didn’t show a significant difference (p > 0.05) but significantly (p < 0.05) lower than all other accessions. Mean plant heights for the accessions were significantly different (p < 0.05) throughout the harvesting cycle period and overall yield with a lower plant height of B. mutica (63.2 cm) while non-significant (p > 0.05) overall mean height was recorded among other accessions. B. brizantha, 13151; B. brizantha, 13368; B. brizantha, 13653; B. brizantha, 16550 and B. brizantha, 13379 accessions outperformed in terms of overall dry matter yield. Further studies on agronomic performances of promising B. brizantha accessions under on-farm conditions and nutritional evaluation involving live-animal experiments are recommended.

Agronomic Performance, Variance Components, and Clustering in Vernonia galamensis Germplasm from Ethiopia

This study was conducted to assess the agronomic performance, variance components, and clustering analysis of 80 accessions of Vernonia galamensis, in alpha-lattice design with two replications at Melka Werer and Wondo Genet agricultural research centers in 2018/19. The one-way ANOVA showed that the high significant variation ( p < 0.05 ) for most of the quantitative traits among accessions except for days to emergence, and the mean performance of seed yield per hectare ranged from 348.9 to 624.3 kg ha−1, with an average of 474.4 kg ha−1. The result of principal component analysis indicated that those exhibited more than one eigenvalue were about 71.0% of variability. While the cluster analysis based on 80% of similarity into eight clusters from the eighty accessions, the first cluster had the largest number of accessions. Overall, the study confirmed that the agromorphological characters such as the number of heads per plant, number of seeds per head, seed yield per plant, and seed weight per plot were the main contributors for seed yield per hectare in V. galamensis.

Screening Common Bean Varieties Compatibility to Intercropping with Maize at Jejebicho Research Station in Sankura Wereda Silte Zone of Southern Ethiopia

Maize is among the most important cereal crops in Ethiopia. Intercropping results in high overall system productivity on a given piece of land due to efficient use of the available plant growth resources. Field experiment was conducted to were to evaluate and select the cropping systems and best performing common bean varieties in intercropping with maize at jejebicho research station for higher productivity and profitability in southern parts of Ethiopia, under Wondo genet Agricultural Research Center at Sankura wereda, Jejebicho research station in 2019/20 cropping season. Three varieties of common bean (Deme, KAT-B1 and Awash-2) and were intercropped with two maize varieties (Limu and Shone). The three common bean varieties and two maize varieties were included as a sole for comparison. Randomized complete block design in factorial with three replications was used. Aboveground biomass, days to tasseling, hundred kernel weight, grain yield and harvest index of maize were significantly affected by varieties of common bean, cropping system was also significantly affected leaf area, leaf index, days to tasseling, days to physiological maturity and grain yield of maize but their interaction effect were non significantly affected. Days to tasseling of maize were delayed (81.50 days) and hastened (74.23 days) by variety Awash-2 and Deme, respectively as compared to KAT-B1. The wider leaf area (910.20cm²) was measured from intercropped maize than sole and the larger leaf area index (3.79) was also recorded from intercropped maize than sole one. Days to tasseling of maize were delayed (80.80 days) at sole cropped of maize. The longer days to physiological maturity (143.84 days) of maize was taken from sole cropping of maize. The highest grain yield (7.60 ton/ha) of maize was taken from Shone intercropped with Awash-2 as compared to varieties. In cropping system, the maximum grain yield (7.12 ton/ha) of maize was obtained from intercropped of it. Plant height, branch number per plant, number of seed per pod, number of pod per plant, days to physiological maturity, aboveground biomass, hundred kernel weight, grain yield and harvest index of common bean. The longest plant (132.13cm) was measured from Deme intercropped with Limu. The highest (5.17) number of branches was counted at Deme intercropped with Limu. The highest number of pods per plant and number of seed per pod (10.92 and 4.63) was counted at Deme intercropped with Limu and Limu with Awash-2 respectively. The highest grain yield (22.38 ton/ha) was obtained when Shone intercropped with Deme. The highest partial land equivalent ratio (LER) of maize and common bean non significantly affected by varieties of both. Monitory advantage index was also non significantly affected. However, the highest value of monetary advantage index (105,359 ETB ha^-1) was obtained at Shone intercropped with Deme. Therefore, any of the two (Limu or Shone) maize varieties could be recommended for intercropping with Deme of common bean variety.

Effects of Plant Spacing and Harvesting Age on Growth and Yield of Sage (Salvia officinalis L

The experiment was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center, Southern Ethiopia from 2015 to 2017 cropping seasons to determine the optimum harvesting age and plant spacing of sage to maximize essential oil yield. The experimental design was RCBD in factorial arrangement with three replications. The treatments were four harvesting ages (3, 4, 5 and 6) months after planting and three plant spacing (30 cm × 30 cm, 60 × 60 cm and 90 × 90 cm). The study showed that spacing had a highly significant (p≤0.001) influence on fresh leaf weight per plant, dry leaf weight per plant and essential oil yield per hectare; highly significantly (p≤0.01) influenced plant height and dry herbage yield per hectare, significantly (p≤0.05) influenced fresh herbage yield and non-significantly influenced essential oil content. On the other hand, harvesting age highly significantly (p≤0.001) influenced plant height, fresh leaf weight per plant, dry herbage yield per hectare, essential oil content and essential oil yield; and also, significantly (p≤0.05) influenced dry leaf weight per plant. The highest essential oil yield (98.16 and 106.73 kg/ha) were obtained from 30 × 30 cm spacing and five months after planting respectively.

Productivity of Intercropping with Tomato and Basil under Different Planting Densities at Wondo Genet, Ethiopia

Intensive crop cultivation like inter-cropping is a reasonable agronomic practice to fulfill and sustain food security in areas where there is land shortage like that of Wondo Genet areas. An experiment was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center experimental farm to examine productivity and economic return. The experiment was a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement in RCBD consisting of ten treatments: two basil row arrangements; one tomato row alternating with one basil row (1T:1B) and one tomato row alternating with two basil rows (1T:2B) and four basil population densities (66666, 50000, 33333 and 16666 plants ha -1 ). Results of the study indicated that the intercropping of tomato with basil had a total LER value greater than one which showed the advantage of intercropping over sole cropping of each crop. Intercropping of tomato with basil at 100% population density gave a total LER value of 1.9 and MAI value of 194600 ETB ha -1 , respectively. Therefore, basil with a density of 33,333 plants ha -1 at a spacing of 100 cm × 30cm by 1T:1B row arrangements could be recommended for intercropping with tomato in the target area, based on its better compatibility, productivity, and economic benefit. Keywords: Economic return, Land Equivalent Ratio, Monetary Advantage Index DOI: 10.7176/ALST/91-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Essential Oil Yield and Yield Related of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L) as Affected by NPS and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates at Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted on experimental field of Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center (WGARC), southern Ethiopia under supplementary irrigation in 2017- 2018 cropping season, to assess the effects of NPS and N fertilizer rates on essential oil yield and yield related traits of basil. The experiment consisted of four rates of nitrogen (0, 23, 46, and 69 kg ha-1) and four rates of NPS fertilizer (0, 50,100 and 150 kg ha-1). The treatments were arranged in factorial combination using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed that the main effects of NPS and N fertilizer rates significantly affected plant height, number of leaves plant-1 and dry stem weight plant-1. The tallest plant height (32.87 cm) and highest dry stem weight (41.86 g plant-1) were recorded from 100 kg ha-1 NPS rate. Similarly, the tallest plant (31.90 cm) and highest dry stem weight (42.78 g plant-1) were recorded from the highest (69 kg N ha-1) rate. On other hand, the interaction effects of NPS and N fertilizer rates also significantly affected number of primary branches plant-1, fresh leaf weight plant-1, fresh stem weight plant-1, fresh inflorescence weight plant-1, aboveground dry biomass and essential oil yield of basil. Significantly, the highest fresh leaf weight (319.36 g plant-1) and fresh stem weight (176.30 g plant-1) were obtained from combined application of 150 kg ha-1 NPS + 69 kg ha-1 N rates. The highest number of primary branches plant-1(12.63), dry leaf weight (43.93 g plant-1) and aboveground dry biomass (4.64-ton ha-1) were obtained from combined application of 100 kg ha-1 NPS + 69 kg ha-1 N, whereas the highest essential oil yield (30.22 kg ha-1) was due to combination of 100 kg ha-1 NPS + 46 kg ha-1 N rate and it is statistically at par with 50 kg ha-1 NPS + 46 kg ha-1 N. Therefore, combined application of 50 kg ha-1 NPS + 46 kg ha-1 N would be suggested in case of basil used for extracting essential oil.

Response of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Growth and Yield to Planting Densities and Row Arrangements in Tomato-Basil Intercropping System

Wondo Genet area, which is located in the Sidama zone of south Ethiopia, is characterized by a rapidly increasing human population and scarcity of arable land per household. There is a need for developing an efficient cropping system to use the limited land efficiently and to enhance food security. An experiment was, therefore, was conducted at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center under irrigated during the 2018 cropping season to examine the growth and yield of sweet basil under different planting densities and row arrangements in tomato-sweet basil Intercropping System. The experiment was conducted with two basil row arrangements (one tomato row alternating with one basil row (1T:1B) or with two basil rows (1T:2B)) and four basil population densities (66666, 50000, 33333 and 16666 plants.ha<sup>-1</sup>) factorial arrangement in RCBD with three replications each consisting of ten treatments. Results of the study indicated that the row arrangement by planting density interaction significantly influenced the yield of basil with the maximum dry herbal (341.49 kg.ha<sup>-1</sup>) and essential oil (22.86 kg.ha<sup>-1</sup>) yields were recorded at 100% basil population density with a 1T:2B row arrangements. The cropping system significantly influenced the essential oil content and essential oil yield of basil. The highest essential oil content (1.26%) and essential oil yield (21.83 kg.ha<sup>-1</sup>) of basil were obtained at sole planting compared to that of intercropping (0.96%) and (15.36 kg.ha<sup>-1</sup>) with tomato showing 23.81% and 29.64% reduction, respectively. Therefore, intercropping 100% basil population in tomato by 1T:2B row arrangements could be recommended for Wondo genet and similar agroecology area, based on its better compatibility and productivity.

Web application: Contribute to environment conservation

Six Napier grass accessions (Penisetum purpuruem) that have been tested and identified for their better agronomic and yield performance at different national and regional research centers were collected and tested at Wondo genet Agricultural Research center under two sets (under irrigation and rain fed) conditions.

Contribution to the identification of morphological descriptors for the genetic diversity of argan tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels)

Six Napier grass accessions (Penisetum purpuruem) that have been tested and identified for their better agronomic and yield performance at different national and regional research centers were collected and tested at Wondo genet Agricultural Research center under two sets (under irrigation and rain fed) conditions.

Identification of suitable location for construction of check dam in Manur water shedding area, Tirunelveli District

Six Napier grass accessions (Penisetum purpuruem) that have been tested and identified for their better agronomic and yield performance at different national and regional research centers were collected and tested at Wondo genet Agricultural Research center under two sets (under irrigation and rain fed) conditions.

Study on changes in tourism land and influence factors in mountain areas: A case study of Luanchuan country, China

Six Napier grass accessions (Penisetum purpuruem) that have been tested and identified for their better agronomic and yield performance at different national and regional research centers were collected and tested at Wondo genet Agricultural Research center under two sets (under irrigation and rain fed) conditions.

Performance Evaluation of Napier Grass (Penisetum Purpuruem (L.) Schumach) accessions under rain fed and Irrigation System at Wondo Genet

Six Napier grass accessions (Penisetum purpuruem) that have been tested and identified for their better agronomic and yield performance at different national and regional research centers were collected and tested at Wondo genet Agricultural Research center under two sets (under irrigation and rain fed) conditions.

Intercropping of African marigold (Tagetes erecta Linnaeus (Asteraceae)) Varieties at Different Plant Density with Tomato (Solanum iycopersicum Linnaeus (Solanaceae)) on Yield Related Traits and Yield of tomato at Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia

Tomato is among the most important vegetable crops in Ethiopia. Planting marigolds between tomatoes protects the tomato plants from harmful root-knot nematodes in the soil and increase the marketable fruit yield of tomato by trapping different insects and pest attack and the like. Field experiment was conducted to assess effect of plant densities of intercropped African Marigold Varieties on yield related traits and yield of tomato and to evaluate the productivity and economic value of tomato and African marigold intercropping system, in southern parts of Ethiopia, at Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center in 2017/18 cropping season. Three varieties of African marigold (AVT 001, AVT 540 and AVT 7063) at three population densities (PD) (25%, 50%, and 75%) were intercropped with tomato variety ‘Melkashola’. The three varieties of African marigold (AFM) and tomato were included as a sole for comparison. Randomized complete block design in factorial with three replications was used. Plant height, days to 50% flowering, days to physiological maturity and days to first harvest of tomato were not significantly affected by varieties of African marigold, population densities, interaction and cropping system. Harvest duration of tomato was delayed (27.56 days) and hastened (25.78 days) by variety AVT 540 and AVT 001, respectively as compared to VAT 7063. The highest (7.56) number of primary branches was due to 50% PD African marigold (AFM). The 50% PD delayed harvest duration (29.56 days) as compared to other PD. The highest number of harvest (3.91), numbers of fruit per plant (45.89) and number of fruit per cluster (15.56) were also obtained due to 50% PD. The highest fruit weight (13.80 ton ha -1 ) and marketable fruit yield (13.11 ton ha -1 ) were also obtained from 50% PD, but the highest unmarketable fruit yield (3.24 ton ha -1 ) was obtained from 25%. Cropping system was showed non-significant effect except marketable and unmarketable fruit yield of tomato, the highest marketable (10.19 ton ha -1 ) and unmarketable (4.37 ton ha -1 ) fruit yield were obtained from intercropped and sole cropping of tomato respectively .The highest (0.84) partial land equivalent ratio (LER) of tomato and total LER (1.43) were due to 50% PD. The highest value of monetary advantage index (37,225 ETB ha -1 ) was due to 50% PD. Therefore, any of the three African marigold varieties at 50% PD could be recommended for intercropping with tomato. Key w ords : Cropping system, Marketable fruit yield, Population density and Unmarketable fruit yield. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-6-01 Publication date: March 31 st 2021