RESPONSE OF CASSAVA/MAIZE/GROUNDNUT BASED INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS IN THE DERIVED SAVANNA OF SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

In an attempt to achieving food security for a rapidly growing population in Nigeria, intensification of food production with appropriate and careful cropping system methods is required on the available crop land. In an attempt to improving soil fertility and crop yield with economically viable, environmentally friendly,
sustainable and socially accepted cropping system practices, a field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cassava/maize/groundnut based intercropping systems in the derived savannah of South-eastern Nigeria. Seven treatments including sole cassava, sole maize, sole groundnut, cassava +
maize + groundnut, cassava + maize, maize + groundnut and cassava + groundnut were built into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and were replicated three times. Each test crop were planted at 1m x 1m spacing for the assessment. Parameters
measured were on growth and yield components. Results obtained revealed a significant difference on top growth yield, dry matter yield of cassava, dry grain weight yield and 100 seeds yield of maize as well as number of pod, weight of grain and 100 seeds of
groundnut. The results show that different croppingpattern caused significant yields and yield components of each crop. However, the productivity of all the intercrops was high with maximum in cassava + maize + groundnut crop combinations. This shows that
intercropping of different crop species has enhanced better use of growth resources which could have lost if single crop was planted in thefield, resulting in better and increased cropyield. Choice of adequate planting time and plant densities could further improve efficiency of the cropping systems.