Evaluation of Temporal Variations for Intercropping Maize and Sesame in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
Journal Title: Journal of Experimental Agriculture International - Year 2015, Vol 9, Issue 5
Abstract
Aim: The experiments were conducted to determine effects of time of introducing sesame into maize or vice versa on the performances of the intercrops. Study Design: Randomized complete block design replicated four times. Place and Duration of Study: Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria in 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons. Methodology: The treatments were (i) Sole Sesame (0 week) (ii) Sole maize (0 week) (iii) Sole Sesame – established 2 weeks later (iv) sole Maize – established 2 weeks later (v) Maize/Sesame (0 week) (vi) Maize/Sesame (sesame introduced into maize after 2 weeks) and (vii) Sesame/Maize (maize introduced into sesame after 2 weeks). The test crops were sesame (Sesamum indicum) variety E8 and Maize (Zea mays) variety ACR-9931-DMR-SR-Y. Five sesame plants were randomly selected per plot and tagged for collection of data on plant height and podding nodes. At maturity, maize and sesame were harvested and the grain yields determined. Sub samples of the grains were taken to the laboratory and analyzed for N, P, and K contents. Results: Both years, simultaneous sowing of maize/sesame had no adverse effect on maize yield. Introducing sesame into maize two weeks later caused significant reduction in grain yield and NPK uptakes compared with sole maize. Simultaneous planting and introducing sesame into maize 2 weeks later reduced sesame seed yield by mean of 134.5 and 1392.5% respectively compared with sole planting. Based on calculated LER, intercropping maize and sesame was superior to sole cropping and such advantage was in the range of 16 to 85%. Conclusion: Simultaneous intercropping maize/sesame had no adverse effect on maize yield but sesame was a weak competitor, therefore, for commercial cultivation sole cropping of sesame is recommended.
Authors and Affiliations
G. O. Kolawole, A. B. Babalola, E. O. Akinola, T. F. Fadahunsi, A. T. Ajibola
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP354114
- DOI 10.9734/AJEA/2015/20453
- Views 108
- Downloads 0
Optimum Transplanting Date Maximizes the Growth and Yield of Rice in Bangladesh
Rice is the staple food crop and it grows in three seasons in Bangladesh. The optimum transplanting time can satisfy its appropriate temperatures and solar radiation for vigorous vegetative growth and maximum grain yield...
Growth and Yield Response of Mungbean as Influenced by Phosphorus and Boron Application
A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during the period from February 2012 to May 2012 to investigate the effect of levels of phosphorus (0, 20...
A Study of Fish Diversity of Two Lacustrine Wetlands in the Upper Benue Basin, Nigeria
The studies were conducted to evaluate the fish species diversity of two lakes viz: Kiri and Gyawana, at monthly intervals for the period of two years. Fish records were based entirely on the landings of fishermen. Fish...
Milk Production and Supply Chain in Peri Urban Areas of Jhang Pakistan
The peri urban areas are facing the challenge of poverty, hunger, unemployment, pollution and ineffective utilization of natural resources. Present paper focuses on milk production and its supply chain in the peri urban...
Kunyima Procedure to Study Enzymatic Mechanism in Cassava Cyanide Removal: Case of Sassou Variety (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Despite many publications on cyanide elimination in cassava by soaking in water, it still remains our preoccupation because the techniques elaborations of cyanide removal depend on a good uptake of phenomena. The traditi...