Submit Manuscript

Asian Journal of Crop Science

Year: 2013 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 41-47
Research Article

Effect of Egusi Planting Density on Productivity of Egusi/Turmeric Intercrops in Southeastern Nigeria

I.I. Akpan
Department of Agronomy, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
C.O. Muoneke
Department of Agronomy, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
D.A. Okpara
Department of Agronomy, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
Field trials were conducted at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm, Umudike (Lat. 05°29‘N, Long. 07°33‘E), Southeastern Nigeria in 2008 and 2009 to determine the effect of egusi planting density on the productivity of component crops in egusi/turmeric intercropping system. Turmeric at 80, 000 plants ha-1 was intercropped with egusi three planting densities of 20, 000; 40, 000 and 66, 670 plants ha-1. The experiment was laid out as Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Across the planting densities, intercropping reduced egusi seed yield by 44% in 2008 and 43% in 2009. Similarly, on the average, intercropping reduced turmeric rhizome yield by 41, 53 and 57% at egusi planting densities of 20, 000; 40, 000 and 66, 670 plants ha-1, respectively. There was yield disadvantage as depicted by LER below unity (0.995) when turmeric was intercropped with egusi at 20, 000 and 40, 000 plants ha-1 and a yield advantage of 19% (LER = 1.19) when turmeric was intercropped with egusi at 66, 670 plants ha-1. Economic analysis (gross monetary returns) showed that sole turmeric was more profitable than sole egusi or egusi/turmeric intercrop at lower egusi planting densities. Comparative assessment of the mixtures indicated that it was better to grow the two crops separately.
PDF Fulltext XML References Citation

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Article Trend

Total views 4063

References

  1. Akamine, H., A. Hossain, Y. Ishimine, K. Yogi, K. Hokama, Y. Iraha and Y. Aniya, 2007. Effects of application of N, P and K alone or in combination on growth, yield and curcumin content of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Plant Prod. Sci., 10: 151-154.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  2. Anuebunwa, F.O., 2000. A bio-economic on-farm evaluation of the use of sweet potato for complementary weed control in a yam/maize/egusi/cassava intercrop in pigeon pea hedge rows in the rainforest belt of Nigeria. Biol. Agric. Hortic., 18: 95-102.
    Direct Link
  3. Baker, E.F.I., 1974. Research on mixed cropping with cereals in Nigerian farming system: A system for improvement. Proceedings of the International Workshop on Farming Systems, November 18-21, 1974, ICRISAT, Hyderabad, pp: 287-301.
  4. Chiezey, U.F., I.M. Haruna and E.C. Odion, 2005. Productivity of sorghum/soybean mixture and influence of N, P and plant arrangement in the Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria. Crop Res., 29: 1-14.
  5. Egharevba, P.N. and S.M. Abede, 1986. Effect of row spacing on yield and yield components of pearl millet. Niger. Agric. J., 21: 141-156.
  6. Ezedinma, F.O.C., 1974. Effects of close spacing on cowpeas in Southern Nigeria. Exp. Agric., 10: 289-298.
    CrossRef
  7. Huxley, P.A. and Z. Maingu, 1978. Use of a systematic spacing design as an aid to the study of intercropping: Some general considerations. Exp. Agric., 14: 49-56.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  8. Ikeorgu, J.E.G, T.A.T. Wahua and H.C. Ezumah, 1981. Effects of melon (Citrillus lanatus Thurb) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) on the soil moisture and leaf water status of intercropped cassava/maize in Nigeria. Trop. Agric., 66: 78-82.
    Direct Link
  9. Makinde, E.A. and B.S. Alabi, 2002. Influence of spatial arrangement on the growth and yield of maize/melon intercrop. Moor J. Agric. Res., 3: 59-63.
  10. Manga, A.A., M.G. Bala and L.W. Ashafa, 2003. Evaluation of maize and grain amaranth intercrop Nig. J. Hortic., 8: 7-10.
  11. Mohdnor, R.B., 1980. Effect of plant density on the dry seed yield of cowpeas in Malaysia. Trop. Grain Legume Bull., 1980: 11-13.
  12. Muoneke, C.O. and O.O. Ndukwe, 2008. Effect of plant population and spatial arrangement on the productivity of okra/Amaranthus intercropping system. Agro Sci., 7: 15-21.
    Direct Link
  13. Ndukauba, J., 1998. Evaluation of egusi melon (Colosynthis citrillus cultivars in Abia Astte, Nigeria. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, September 13-16, 1998, Nigeria.
  14. Njoku, D.N. and C.O. Muoneke, 2008. Effect of cowpea planting density on growth, yield and productivity of component crops in cowpea/cassava intercropping system. Agro-Sci.: J. Trop. Agric. Food Environ. Extens., 7: 106-113.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  15. Ojikpong, T.O., D.A. Okpara, C.O. Muoneke and M.A. Kekong, 2008. Influence of four varieties of sesame (Sesamum indica L.) on maize/sesame intercropping in the Southeastern rainforest belt of Nigeria Global J. Pure Applied Sci., 2: 169-174.
  16. Okpara, D.A., 2000. Growth and yield of maize and vegetable cowpea as influenced by intercropping and nitrogen fertilizer in the lowland humid tropics. J. Sustain. Agric. Environ., 215: 188-194.
    Direct Link
  17. Okpara, D.A. and C.P.E. Omaliko, 1995. Productivity of yamban/yam intercropping. Indian J. Agric. Sci., 65: 880-882.
  18. Okpara, D.A. A.N. Awurum and A.I. Okeke, 2004. Effect of planting schedule and density on cowpea/maize intercropping in southeastern Nigeria. J. Sustain. Trop. Agric. Res., 11: 59-67.
  19. Okigbo, B.N. and D.J. Greenland, 1976. Intercropping Systems in Tropical Africa. In: Multiple Cropping, Papendick, R.I., P.A. Sanchez and G.B. Triplett (Eds.). American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin, USA., pp: 63-101.
  20. Trenbath, B.R., 1976. Plants Interaction in Mixed Crop Communities. In: Multiple Cropping: Proceedings of the Symposium, Papendick, R.I., P.A. Sanchez and G.O. Triplet (Eds.). American Society of Agronomy Special Publication, Madison, Wisconsin, ISBN-13:9780891180456, pp: 129-170.
  21. Mead, R. and R.W. Willey, 1980. The concept of a ‘Land Equivalent Ratio’ and advantages in yields from intercropping. Exp. Agric., 16: 217-228.
    CrossRefDirect Link

Keywords