Growth and Yield Response of Newly Released Cassava Genotypes and Hybrid Maize to Intercropping

Abstract

Cassava/maize intercrops have been reported to be highly productive, mainly because of their different growth patterns. However, there is limited information on the influence of maize planting density in the cassava/maize intercrop on the performance of hybrid maize and improved cassava genotypes in Uganda. Thus, this study determined whether recently released cassava genotypes which are selected on the basis of monocrop performance, would perform equally well when intercropped with hybrid maize varieties. Cassava genotypes NAROCASS 1 and NASE 14 intercropped with Longe 6H maize were evaluated using randomized complete block design and three replications. Treatments were: Sole maize (SM), sole cassava (SC), alternate rows of cassava and maize (1C:1M), and one row of cassava alternating with two rows of maize (1C:2M). Intercropping significantly increased the maize plant heights in the 1C:2M system than in sole maize. Cob length and number of rows per cob decreased as the plant population density increased. Maize grain yield under the 1C:1M system was comparable to that of sole cropping. The 1C:2M system gave significantly reduced grain yields when compared with those at 1C:1M. Cassava root yield decreased in the order (SM>1C:1M>1C:2M). Although the yields of both cassava and maize under sole cropping were higher than their intercrop counterparts, intercropping was more productive than sole cropping as evidenced by the land equivalent ratios.

Growth and Yield Response of Improved Sweet Potato Cultivars to Intercropping with Hybrid Maize and Inorganic Fertilizers

“…But very high grain yield losses were recorded when the ratio was changed to 2 seeds of maize to 3 vines per stand due to increased competition for growth resources. It has also been reported that increasing maize population density in the improved cassava + maize intercropping systems from the ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 2 of cassava to maize significantly reduced the grain yields compared to yields obtained from sole maize cropping [27].…”

“…Depending on the plant population density, and the growth habits and light demand of the associated crops, there is usually some degree of competition for sunlight in intercrops which is shown by their growth responses. A variation in the plant heights of hybrid maize and improved cassava genotypes was observed when they were grown together compared to sole cropping [27].…”