No abstract

The effects of three okra planting densities (28 000; 56 000 and 111 000 plants ha') intercropped within or between maize rows were investigated in two field trials during the 1990 and 1991 wet seasons at Nsukka. The plant height and the leaf area index (LAI) increased as the planting density increased in sole or intercropped okra while the number of branches per plant decreased with increasing okra planting density. The height of maize plants also increased as okra planting density increased but the LAI decreased. Intercropping reduced the yield and yield components (number and weight of pods per plant) of okra and maize (number of cobs, cob length and 100-grain weight). Increasing okra planting density reduced the sole and the intercropped okra and also the maize intercrop yield by reducing the number of pods and grains as well as the pod and grain size, respectively. Assessment of the productivity ofthe mixtures showed that the highest yield advantage (35%) of growing okra and maize together was obtained at 28000 okra plants ha' while the highest monetary return was realized at the highest okra planting density of 111000 plants ha ' intercropped between maize rows. The patterns of row arrangement did not have effect on the growth, yield and yield components of the mixtures.

No abstract

The effects of variations in the relative sowing time of component crops in okra/maize and okra/cowpea intercropping systems were examined in 1990 and 1991 cropping seasons. Okra was either sown the same day as, or two weeks before or after maize or cowpea. Intercropping reduced the growth and yield of okra, maize and cowpea relative to their sole crops. However, okra yield was depressed more by maize than by cowpea, especially when okra was sown two weeks after maize. Comparative assessment of okra/maize and okra/cowpea mixtures suggests that it is better to grow okra and cowpea together than intercropping okra and maize because yield advantages were always higher in okra/cowpea (67% and 59% in 1990 and 1991 respectively) than in okra/maize (15% and 29%). The results were discussed in light of competitive abilities of the various components in the mixtures.