Optimum Plant Density of Okra and Intercropping Effects on Yields of Egusi Melon-Okra Mixture, at Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT.A field experiment was conducted from August to November, during the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons at the Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, to identify the optimum plant density of okra and intercropping effects on yields of egusi melon-okra mixture and to assess the yield advantages of the intercropping system. The experiment was a 3x3 split plot arrangement of treatments, fitted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated four times. The intercropping (sole egusi melon, sole okra and egusi melon-okra mixture) constituted the main plots, while the population densities of okra (33,000, 40,000 and 50,000 plants ha -1 equivalent) into egusi melon were allocated to the subplots. Results of study showed that to maximize intercrop yield of okra in an egusi melon-okra intercrop, the optimal population density of okra is 33,000 plants ha -1 , while that of 40,000 plants ha -1 is optimal to maximize intercrop yield of egusi melon. Intercropping egusi melon and okra significantly (P≤0.05) reduced yields of egusi melon (37.5 % and 40.5 % respectively, in years 2012 and 2013) and that of okra (9.7 % and 16.9 % respectively, in years 2012 and 2013). The highest mean land equivalent ratio value of 1.57 and highest land equivalent coefficient values of 0.60 and 0.63 respectively, in years 2012 and 2013, were recorded for okra sown into egusi melon at the population density of 40,000 plants ha -1 . It is most advantageous having both crops in intercrop when okra is sown into egusi melon at the population density of 40,000 plants ha -1 . This should therefore be recommended for Makurdi location, Nigeria.

Intercropping of African marigold (Tagetes erecta Linnaeus (Asteraceae)) Varieties at Different Plant Density with Tomato (Solanum iycopersicum Linnaeus (Solanaceae)) on Yield Related Traits and Yield of tomato at Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia

“…Phenological and growth response of Tomato Days to 50% flowering and days to physiological maturity of tomato The analysis of variance showed that days to 50% flowering and days to physiological maturity of tomato were not significantly affected by varieties, there population density and interaction effect (Appendix Table 1). The result agreed with Ijoyah et al (2015) who reported that population densities of okra did not significantly affected days to attain 50 % flowering for okra in okra-egusi melon intercropping. Cropping system is not significantly affected days to 50% flowering and days to physiological maturity of tomato.…”

“…This might be due to the highest number of primary branches per plant is obtained due to 50% population density those branches forced to produce more number of fruits per plant when the net assimilation rate was higher. This is supported by the results of Ijoyah et al (2015) that population density of okra significantly increased the number of egusi melon fruits per plant, number of egusi melon seeds per fruit, weight of seeds per fruit and yield of egusi melon in okra-egusi melon intercropping, Planting of okra at the population density of 40,000 plants ha -1 significantly increased yield of egusi melon, compared to when okra was sown at the population density of 50,000 plants ha -1 . This result disagree with the findings of Tuan and Mao (2015) and Tesfaye (2008) who reported that fruit number per plant was significantly influenced by plant density but the low plant density resulting in significantly more fruit number as compared to high plant density.…”

“…When population density increased from 50% to 75% the number of fruits per cluster reduced, this might be due to over plant population density on a given area. This result is supported by Ijoyah et al (2015) who revealed that population density of okra significantly increased the number of egusi melon fruits per cluster, number of egusi melon seeds per fruit, weight of seeds per fruit and yield of egusi melon in okra-egusi melon intercropping. Planting of okra at the population density of 40,000 plants ha -1 (50%) significantly increased yield of egusi melon, compared to when okra was sown at the population density of 50,000 (67%) and 20,000 (25%) plants ha -1 .…”

“…These might be due to intercropping of African marigold protect tomato from different external factors like insect pests, frost and other environmental factors that results more number of fruit was produced. The reported results of Ijoyah et al (2015) not supported this of which intercropping of okra with egusi melon increased the number of egusi melon fruits per plant, number of egusi melon seeds per fruit, weight of seeds per fruit and yield of egusi melon as compared to sole planting of egusi melon.…”

“…This was probably the highest and lowest of inter-species competition due to 75% and 25% population density, respectively. Similarly Ijoyah et al (2015) revealed that intercropping of okra with egusi melon land equivalent ratio was increased as population density of okra increased up to a certain point. The findings of Ram and Singh (2010) showed that the land equivalent ratio of tomato was significantly higher at 50% population density than 25% and 75% population densities in tomato -coriander intercropping.…”