Performance of Maize/Rice Intercrop as Affected by Maize (Zea mays L.) Spacing and Weed Control

Abstract

This trial was conducted to determine maize spacing and weed control effect on the performance of maize/rice intercrop in the Guinea Savanna of Ghana. The study was a 4 x 4 factorial experiment laid out in Randomised Complete Block Design with 3 replications. Four maize spacing’s: 90 x 40 cm, 85 x 40 cm, 80 x 40 cm and 75 x 40 cm and four weed control regimes: weeding at 3 & 6 WAP, weeding at 3, 6 & 9 WAP, weed free and weedy check (no weeding) were used as treatments. Rice was planted at 20 x 20 cm within maize rows, resulting in a 1:2 row arrangement. Data were collected on growth parameters, grain yield, weed biomass and weed species richness. Days to 50% flowering of rice, panicle weight and rice grain yield were significantly enhanced by the interaction effect of maize spacing and weed control. It was evident that, weeding at 3 & 6 WAP and 3, 6 & 9 WAP were best for controlling weeds and resulted in significant influence in almost all of the data taken likewise rice in maize spacing of 85 x 40 cm and 80 x 40 cm. Therefore, to ensure that plant densities are not reduced, farmers are adviced to intercrop maize with rice, using maize spacing of 80 x 40 cm. Similarly, to save time, small-scale farmers are advised to weed only twice at 3 & 6 WAP. However, it was prudent not to suggest any recommendation from the two and three hand weeding’s in interaction with maize spacing, since the results for the interaction appeared not consistent.