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Effects of low input
tillage and amaranth intercropping system on growth and
yield of maize (Zea mays)
Awe, G. O.1*
and Abegunrin, T. P.2
1Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of
Agricultural Sciences, University of Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
2Agricultural Engineering Department, Ladoke Akintola University of
Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
gabrielolaawe@yahoo.com .
Accepted 23 June, 2009 |
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Field
experiments were conducted to find out the effects of
tillage practices and intercropping on the growth and yield
of maize at the teaching and research farm, university of
Ado Ekiti, southwest Nigeria during the 2006 early and late
growing seasons. The experiment was laid out in a randomized
complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replication with tillage
practices (CT, MT, NT) assigned to main plots and cropping
systems to subplots. At 8 WAP, the tallest plants of 134 cm
were got with CT and sole cropping while the shortest plant,
about 84 cm, was obtained from NT and intercropping.
Application of CT and solecropping also had the widest leaf
of 451cm2 per plant while a leaf about 231 cm2
was obtained from NT and intercropping. The same trend was
obtained for the number of leaves per plant with CT and
solecropping having the highest 11 leaves per plant. Land
equivalent ratio was greater than unity in all treatments
during both seasons. Aggressivity was negative for CT and MT
and positive for NT while relative crowding coefficient was
positive for all treatments. Maize grain yield was
significantly highest, about 3 tonsha-1, under CT
and solecropping while the least yield, 2.12 tonsha-1,
was obtained from NT and intercropping. The results
indicated that maize growth, intercropping efficiency and
yield were well supported with CT.
Key
words:
Tillage, intercropping, growth, yield. |
