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

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.

Maximizing Land Use Efficiency by Intercropping Some Summer Forage Crops With Maize

“…Previous studies demonstrated that the values of CR for maize were always more competitive than other crops such as rajmash (Kour et al, 2016) and soybean (Wei et al, 2022). Also, Ijoyah et al (2012) found that intercropping maize at high plant density 50000 maize plants/ha with okra recorded the lowest competitive ratio (0.65) compared to the low and medium plant density (33000 and 40000 maize plants/ha).…”

“…Similar results were obtained by previous studies who found that the values of LER was increased more than one by intercropping maize + guar , maize + cowpea (Elsaid et al, 2019), maize + soybean (Abd Rabboh et al, 2020 andWei et al, 2022), teosinte + cowpea (Salem et al, 2019) and millet + cowpea (Mohamed et al, 2020) as compared to their sole croppings. Moreover, other investigators found that the values of LER were increased by increasing plant density of maize intercropped with soybean (Bechem et al, 2018) and with okra (Ijoyah et al, 2012).…”

Enhancing the Efficacy of Allium (Garlic) Extract and Maize-Legume Intercropping Agroecological Practices in Mitigating the Fall Armyworm Damage on Maize

“…Most tropical intercropping systems have been found to contain maize as a common element (Ijoyah and Fanen, 2012). According to Adesoji et al, (2013), the nitrogen effects increase maize development by causing an increase in the cell division and expansion as well as an increase in the size of all of its morphological components.…”

Performance of Maize-Bean Intercropping Assessed Through Varied Spatial Arrangements and Nutrient Phosphorus Levels in Tanzania

“…Maize and bean in Tanzania are produced in sole or mostly mixed between them or with other crops especially in smallholder farmers. Based on the marginal lands owned by most farmers in Tanzania, mixed cropping of two or more crops during the same growing season is because a common practices and this is driven by increases land productivity determined by land equivalent ratio [10], [20], [21]. Intercropping soybean and maize gave land equivalent ratio greater than one, indicating high productivity per unit area achieved by growing the two crops together [21].…”