Authors:
Idoko,J.A
, Iorlamen, T
, Osang, P.O |
Abstract:
Field studies were conducted in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons from August to November at
the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Makurdi to investigate the
influence of cowpea varieties (Ife brown and IT90K 277-2) and Time of introduction of cowpea
(planting at the same time, two weeks after planting maize and four weeks after planting maize)
into maize-cowpea intercropping system. The experiment was a 2 x 2 x 3 split-split plot laid in a
Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. The result obtained showed
significant reduction in all growth parameters and yield components tested as cowpea was
intercropped. All growth parameters and yield components of cowpea (except 50% pod maturity
and 100% physiological maturity) were significantly affected by cowpea varieties. Variety
IT90K 277-2 was significantly different from variety Ife brown. All cowpea growth parameters
and yield components (except 50 % pod maturity) were also significantly influenced by time of
introduction of cowpea. These characters decrease with delay time of planting except days to 50
% flowering and days to 50 % pod maturity which increases with delay time of planting. Result
on maize showed that all growth parameters and yield components (except shelling percentage,
100 seeds weight and Leaf area index) were significantly affected by intercrop. All growth
parameters and yield components (except shelling percentage) were significantly influenced by
time of planting, these characters increased with delayed time of introduction of cowpea. The
highest LER (1.60); LEC (0.81) and % of land saved were obtained when cowpea was planted at
the same time with maize using maize variety IT90K 277-2 which showed highest compatibility
among the system.
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