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Effects of
land quality, management and cropping systems on cassava
production in southern western Nigeria
Ande, O. T.*,
Adediran, J. A., Ayoola, O. T. and Akinlosotu, T. A.
Institute of Agriculture Research and Training, PMB 5029,
Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
funmiande@yahoo.com.
Accepted 9 May, 2008 |
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The study was carried out to assess the effects of land
quality, management and cropping system on cassava
production in the derived savanna and rain forest of
southwestern Nigeria. Soil quality was studied from farmers’
fields which had been under cassava cultivation for at least
ten (10) years. The yield data obtained from different crop
mixtures and management practices were compared with the
performance of cassava. The results showed great diversity
of soils suitable for cassava production but good management
and cropping system determined the yield. Maximum yield
(78.5 t.ha-1) of cassava was recorded on fertile,
sandy clay loam soil (Apomu series, Eutric Luvisol)
intercropped with maize, followed with cowpea in relay
cropping. Lowest yield (3.3 t.ha-1) was obtained
on degraded low fertility compacted sandy soil of shante
series (Albic Luvisol) under maize/cassava/crop mixture,
with cashew. The results indicated that the more the use of
appropriate agricultural input, management level and land
requirement, the more the yield of cassava across the
ecological zones studied.
Key word:
Land quality, soil management, cropping systems. |
