ISHS Acta Horticulturae 380: Symposium on Tropical Root Crops in a Developping Economy
EFFECTS OF FERTILIZER AND TIME OF INTRODUCTION OF CASSAVA IN YAM/MAIZE/CASSAVA INTERCROP ON COMPONENT YIELDS |
| Authors: | S.O. Odurukwe, J.E.G. Ikeorgu |
| Abstract:
Yam/maize/cassava intercrop is the most dominant crop mixture in the southeastern agricultural zone of Nigeria. A study was conducted from 1986–1987 in the Igbariam, (6° 53'E and 6° 20'N) substation of the National Root Crops Research Institute, to investigate the most appropriate time to introduce cassava into yam/maize/cassava mixture grown with and without inorganic fertilizer. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot arrangement of the randomized complete block design in 3 replicates. The 2 yam cultivars were main plot treatments and the 2 intercropping regimes, 2 fertilizer levels, and 3 times of introducing cassava into the yam/maize mixture were subplot treatments. Delaying the introduction of cassava significantly increased yam tuber and maize grain yields but reduced cassava root yields significantly. In intercropped plots, application of recommended rate of fertilizer (800 kg ha-1 of 15–15–5 formulation) increased yields in yam (26%), maize (66%), and cassava (38%). Cassava planted at the same time with yam and maize had a significantly higher mean total productivity (40.57 x 103 kcal ha-1) than cassava introduced 28 days later (32.50 x 103 Kcal ha-1) or 56 days later (26.72 x 103 kcal ha-1). Total income from the venture was significantly enhanced by application of fertilizer (29%) but was not influenced by time of introduction of cassava. For maximum productivity in a yam/maize/cassava intercrop, the cassava should be planted at the same time as, but not later than 28 days after the yam and maize. | |
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