ABSTRACT
Field experiments were conducted from May-September 2015 and April-August 2016 cropping seasons at Eastern farm of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State to determine the effect of population density and time of planting on the growth and yield of mungbean-maize intercropping system. Each experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. Treatments included three different population density of mungbean (125,000 plants/ha, 200,000 plants/ha and 250,000 plants/ha) and three different times of introduction of maize at 0, 2 and 4 weeks after sowing mungbean. The result obtained showed that mungbean population density and time of introduction of maize significantly influenced yield and yield component in both mungbean and maize. Results showed that among the intercrops and time of introduction, the highest mean plant height of 50.2cm and 50.2cm at 8 WAP were recorded at mungbean 200,000 plants/ha and mungbean with maize introduced 2 WAP in 2015 season. In 2016 cropping season, the highest plant height of 53.7cm was recorded in mungbean with maize introduction 2 WAP mungbean at the final harvest. The interaction of mungbean at125, 000 plants/ha with maize introduced 2 WAP and 4 WAP recorded the highest plant height of 55.9cm and 55.5cm at final harvest in the two cropping seasons. The highest number of leaves (16.1) was produced by sole mungbean at 200,000 plants/ha at the final harvest. The interaction of mungbean at 125, 000 plants/ha with maize introduced 4 WAP gave the highest number of leaves, 15.3 in 2016 cropping season at 8 WAP. The highest number of mungbean pods, 40.3 was recorded in sole mungbean at 250,000 plants/ha in 2016 cropping season. The highest sole mungbean seed yield of 721 and 863 kg/ha were obtained at mungbean 200,000 and 250,000 plants/ha respectively in both cropping seasons. Under the intercrop system, the highest seed yield of 483 and 581 kg/ha were recorded in mungbean at 250,000 plants/ha with maize sown the same day and when maize was introduced 2 WAP mungbean in the two cropping seasons. Similarly, the interaction of mungbean at 250,000 and 200,000 plants/ha with maize 4 WAP mungbean gave the maximum mungbean seed yield of 515 and 720 kg/ha respectively in two cropping seasons. The highest maize plant height of 128cm and 136 cm were recorded in sole maize and maize intercrop with mungbean at 200,000 plants/ha at 8 WAP in the two cropping seasons. The highest maize grain yield of 6,154 and 5,895 kg/ha among the intercrops was recorded in maize crops sown with mungbean at 250,000 plants/ha in the two seasons. Based on the time of introduction of maize, the result showed that maize sown the same day with mungbean gave the maximum grain yield of 6,216 and 5,976 kg/ha in the two seasons. Also, the interaction of mungbean at 125,000 plants/ha sown the same day with maize gave the maximum maize grain yield of 7,722 and 6,945 kg/ha in the two cropping seasons. The maximum value of total land equivalent ratio, land equivalent coefficient and total gross monetary return of 2.1, 1.1 and N6.5m was obtained in mungbean sown the same day with maize in the 2015 season. The interaction of mungbean at 125,000 plants/ha with maize 2 WAP mungbean gave the maximum total land equivalent ratio and land equivalent coefficient of 2.3, and 1.2 while the highest total monetary return of N7.9m was recorded in mungbean at 125,000 plants/ha sown the same day with maize in 2015 cropping season. In 2016 cropping season, the maximum total land equivalent ratio, land equivalent coefficient and total gross monetary return of 2.1, 1.0 and N6.1m was obtained in mungbean intercrop the same day with maize. The result on interaction showed that the maximum total land equivalent ratio, and land equivalent coefficient of 2.4 and 1.4 was recorded at mungbean at 125,000 plants/ha with maize introduced 4 WAP mungbean while the maximum total gross monetary return of N710, 700 was obtained at mungbean at 125,000 plants/ha sown the same day with maize in the 2016 cropping season. These results indicated that population density and time of planting are important factors determining the productivity of mungbean-maize intercropping system. The crops must be intercropped and sown simultaneously to obtain adequate yield.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title
page i
Certification
ii
Declaration
iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgment
v
Table of contents
vi
List of Tables
viii
List of Plates
xii
Abstract
xiv
CHAPTER
ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1
CHAPTER
TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1.0 Intercropping system
6
2.1.1 Advantages of
intercropping 8
2.1.2 Cereal-legume
intercropping
10
2.1.3 Intercropping and plant growth
parameters
13
2.1.4 Intercropping and weed
effects
15
2.1.5 Plant population density and
ratio
16
2.1.6 Time of planting
19
2.1.7 Propagation and planting of
maize
20
2.1.8 Plant density and crop
yield
20
2.1.9 Assessment of yield
advantage
22
CHAPTER
THREE
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS
26
3.1.0 Location of experimental site
26
3.2.0 Planting materials
26
3.3.0 Agronomic practices
26
3.3.1 Land preparation
26
3.3.2 Sowing method 26
3.3.3 Fertilizer application
27
3.3.4 Weeding 27
3.4.0 Experimental procedure
27
3.4.1 Treatments and experimental design 27
3.5.0
Data collection
28
3.5.1
Data Analysis
31
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0
RESULTS
32
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0
Discussion
61
5.1
Conclusion
70
5.2
Recommendation
72
5.4
References
73
5.5 Appendix
98
LIST
OF TABLES
Table 4.1: Soil physico-chemical properties of the
experimental site 32
Table 4.2: Agro-meterological data of the experimental
site
33
Table 4.3: Height of mungbean as influenced by
mungbean population and time of maize introduction in maize/mungbean
intercrop
Table 4.4: Interaction of mungbean population and time
of maize introduction on height of mungbean in maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.5: Number of mungbean leaves per plant as
influenced by its population and time of maize introduction in maize/mungbean
intercrop
Table 4.6: Interaction of mungbean population and time
of maize introduction on number of mungbean leaves per plant in maize/mungbean
intercrop
Table 4.7: Number
of mungbean branches/plant as influenced by its population and time of maize
introduction in maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.8: Interaction of mungbean population and time
of maize introduction on number of mungbean branches/plant in maize/mungbean
intercrop
Table 4.9: Leaf area and leaf area index of mungbean
at flowering as influenced by its population and time of maize introduction in
maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.10: Interaction of mungbean population and
time of maize introduction on leaf area and leaf area index of mungbean in
maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.11: Number of pods/plant, pod length, 100-seed
weight, and seed yield of mungbean (MB) as influenced by its population and
time of maize introduction in maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.12: Interaction of mungbean population and
time of introduction of maize on number of pods, pod length, 100-seed
weight, and seed of mungbean in maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.13: Height of maize as influenced by mungbean
population and time of maize introduction in maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.14: Interaction of mungbean population and
time of maize introduction on height of maize in maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.15: Number of maize leaves/plant as influenced
by mungbean population and time of maize introduction in maize/mungbean
intercrop
Table 4.16: Interaction of mungbean population and
time of maize introduction on number of maize leaves/plant in maize/mungbean
intercrop
Table 4.17: Interaction of mungbean population and
time of maize introduction on number of maize leaves/plant in maize/mungbean
intercrop
Table 4.18: Leaf area and leaf area index of maize at
tasseling as influenced by mungbean population and time of maize introduction
in maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.19: Interaction of mungbean population and
time of maize introduction on leaf area and leaf area index of maize plant at
tasseling in maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.20: Number of cobs and grain yield of maize as
influenced by mungbean population and time of maize introduction in
maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.21: Interaction of mungbean population and
time of maize introduction on number of cobs and grain yield of maize in
maize/mungbean intercrop
Table 4.22: Correlation matrix of growth and yield
components of mungbean for 2015 cropping season
Table 4.23: The correlation matrix of growth and yield
components of mungbean for 2016 cropping season
Table 4.24: The correlation matrix of growth and yield
components of maize for 2015 cropping season
Table 4.25: The correlation matrix
of growth and yield components of maize for 2016 cropping season
Table 4.26:
Land equivalent ratio, land equivalent coefficient and gross monetary return of
maize and mungbean as influenced by mungbean population and time of maize
introduction in maize/mungbean intercrop in 2015 cropping season
Table 4.27: Land equivalent ratio, land equivalent
coefficient and gross monetary return of maize and mung bean as influenced by
the interaction of mungbean population and time of maize introduction in
maize/mungbean intercrop in 2015 cropping season
Table 4.28: Land equivalent ratio, land equivalent
coefficient and gross monetary return of maize and mungbean as influenced by
mungbean population and time of maize introduction in maize/mungbean intercrop
in 2016
cropping season
LIST OF PLATES
Plate
1: Experimental site at 8 WAP 58
Plate
2: Maize plant 59
Plate
3: Mungbean plant 59
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix 2.1. Analysis of variance table for mungbean plant height (2015 cropping season)
Appendix 3.1. Analysis
of variance table for mungbean plant leaves (2015 cropping season)
Appendix 4.1. Analysis of variance table for mungbean plant leaf Area Index (2015 cropping season)
Appendix
5.1. Analysis of variance table
for mungbean plant seed yield (2015 cropping season)
Appendix 6.1. Analysis
of variance table for maize plant height (2015 cropping season)
Appendix 7.1. Analysis
of variance table for maize plant number of leaves (2015 cropping season)
Appendix 8.1. Analysis of variance table for maize plant leaf area index (2015 cropping season)
Appendix 9.1. Analysis of variance table for maize grain yield (2015 cropping season)
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Intercropping
which is a type of mixed cropping and has been defined as the agriculture use
of cultivating two or more crops in the same space at the same time (Andrew and
Kassam, 1976). Takim (2012) defined it as the simultaneous growing two different
or more types of crops in the same field. It is a cropping system that has long
been used for a long-time in tropical areas, Africa, Asian and the Americas (Kurt, 1984).
Inadequate
food supply has been one of the most prominent problems affecting several parts
of the world; intercropping is used to produce much
food and feed crops (Carruthers et al.,
2000). Alizadeh et al., 2010 reported
that intercropping is used in sustainable agricultural systems as an important
method of increasing yield and productivity stability in order to improve
environmental factors and resource utilization. Vandermer (1989) stated that
this technology may enable the intensification of a farming system leading to
increased general productivity and biodiversity in the fields as compared to
monocultures of the individual species.
Intercropping of legumes and cereals is
common in tropics (Hauggaard-Nielsen et
al., 2001; Tsubo et al., 2005)
and rain-fed areas of the world (Agegnehu et
al., 2006; Dhima et al., 2007)
due to its advantages for conservation of soil (Anil et al., 1998), control of weeds (Poggio, 2005; Banik et al., 2006), lodging resistance, yield
increment (Anil et al., 1998; Chen et al.,
2004), preservation of forage over pure legumes, hay curing, eminent proportion
of crude protein (Qamar et al., 1999;
Karadag and Buyukburc, 2004), and legume root parasite infections control
(Fenandez-Aparicio et al., 2007).
The intercropping of legume-cereal at different
seeding ratios or planting patterns have been practiced by many researchers
(Banik et al., 2006; Dhima et al., 2007). Fukai and Trenbath, (1993) reported that
the most productive intercrops is when their component crops differ greatly in
growth duration and their maximum requirement for growth resources occur at
different times
Cereal-legume
intercropping is important in subsistence food production especially in
situation of limited resources (Dahmardeh et
al., 2010). In corn, return per unit area is increased by intercropping it
with legumes. In addition, Requita (2003) noted that agricultural land appears
to be no longer viable with fast growing population unless intercropping is
adapted.
Maize (Zea mays L) is the most important cereal after
rice and wheat with regards to cultivation area in the world (Osagie, 1998). It
has diverse uses (Doswell et al.,
1996). FAO (2015) emphesized that maize is rated as the third most important
cereal crop and has contributed greatly to the economic growth of many
developing countries for both human and animal consumption in the world. Also,
it is a crop of World repute and has a notable adaptability and it is more
extensively distributed over the earth than any other local crops (Onwueme and
Sinha, 1991). According to FAO (2012) maize production in the past few decades,
has increased tremendously in the tropical rainforest. It is used as human
food, livestock feed and as a source of raw material in industries (Anonymous,
2014). The grains are rich in vitamins A, C and E, carbohydrates, and essential
minerals, and contain 9% protein (IITA, 2009).
In many countries of the world, maize is commonly
intercropped with various crops in the farming systems (Ogunlela et al., 1988). Alibi and Esobhawan (2006)
opined that in many tropical countries like Nigeria, maize is often planted in
intercropping systems. Also, Thobatsi (2009) stated that legume-maize intercropping has become one of the
solutions for food security among small scale maize producers.
Mungbean (Vigna
radiata (L) Wilczek) is one of the important pulse crop of Asia that is
gradually being adopted in Nigeria (Onuh et
al., 2011) following its introduction into the humid forest agroecology of
south east Nigeria (Agugo, 2003). Agugo and Muoneke (2009) observed that soil,
rain-fed and
sunshine characteristics of the lowland rainforest belt of the southern Nigeria
is sustainable for mungbean growth and development. Agugo and Opara (2008)
reported that temperature regime, relative humidity and wind in the region also
favour mungbean production. Agugo et al.
(2010) estimated that the mean evportranspiration of mungbean crop over 90 days
growth duration is 300 mm and recommended that rain-fed mungbean can be cultivated between
April and October in the region when risk, water stress is most unlikely.
Furthermore, Agugo and Chukwu (2009)
predicted a potential maximum mungbean grain yield of 3.2 to 3.8t/ha in the
region. Agugo et al., (2010) found
that four varieties of mungbean established with standard agronomic practices
necessary for high seed yield, produced average seed yield of 0.46t/ha in the
lowland rain forest zone in southern Nigeria.
Mungbean is consumed as a seed sprout or in processed
forms that include cold jellies, noodles, cakes, and brew, and could also be
eaten roasted, fried or boiled (AVRDC, 2002). It is composed of reasonable
percentage of moisture, digestible crude protein, fat, crude fibre, hence a
good source of livestock feed. It is also high source of nutrient including:
manganese, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, and various B vitamins (Chung, et al., 2011). It is a good source of
soluble carbohydrate, and contains very high amount of crude fiber (Duke, 1983;
Onimawo and Egbekun, 1998) and it also serves for medicinal purpose (Huijie et al., 2003; Agugo, 2003).
Nowadays,
mungbean is gaining recognition among the population as health food due to
several biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti
inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, lipid metabolism accommodation, and
antitumor effects (Chung et al.,
2011; Tang, et al., 2014). Also, the
young leaves and immature pods are eaten as a vegetable and cracked seeds are
fed to livestock (Siemonsma and Arwooth, 1989). The seeds are said to be a
traditional source of cures for paralysis, rheumatism, coughs, fevers and liver
ailments (Kay, 1979). However, mungbean is vulnerable to numerous production
problems which include inconsistent cropping system that makes its production
difficult, especially in Nigeria (Onuh et
al., 2011).
Intercropping
systems that include legume as a component crop improves both yield and
stability of the system. The cultivation of two or more crops together in the
same field during a growing season may result in interspecific competition or
among the crop plants (Zang and Li, 2003). Elsewhere in Asia, mungbean has been
intercropped with maize (Abd El-Lateef, 1993; Faruque et al., 2000), with sorghum (Ashour et al., 1991) and between young trees for four years perior to
canopy closure (Milnond et al.,
1999).
Willy
and Osiru, (1972),
and Lakhani, (1976)
reported that the relative proportions and overall mixture densities of
component crops are important in determining yields and production efficiency
of any legume-cereal intercrop systems. In addition, the relative time of
sowing a component crop is also a key management variable that can be
manipulated in cereal-legume intercropping system. The
time sowing component crop at different times ensures full utilization of
growth factors because crops occupy the land throughout the growing season
(Andrew 1972). Mongi et al. (1976)
maintained that planting cowpea simultaneously with maize gave better yield. In
contrast, Francis et al. (1976) stated that sowing beans
(cowpea) and maize 5-15 days apart reduced yield of intercrop compared to mono
crops. Other researchers have reported that aiming to maximize the yield of
intercrop component through minimizing competition effects, selection of
compactable genotypes and timing date of seeding are key agronomic issues in
intercropping (Muoneke et al., 1997).
Another study by Francis et al.,
(1982) on maize intercropped with four contrasting beans cultivars sown 5-10
days apart, suggest that near simultaneous sowing of component crops is optimal
to attain the highest combined yields and intercropping efficiency.
As newly
introduced legume, not much work has been done to elucidate the productivity of
the component crops in an intercrop system. In particular, growing mungbean and
maize together holds great beneficial effects. The study has effect of mungbean
population and time of maize introduction on the productivity of mungbean mungbean
(Vigna radiate (L) Wilczek)/maize (Zea mays (L)) intercropping system as
the major objective with the following as the specific objectives:
(i) to
determine the effect of maize-mungbean intercrop on growth and seed yield of
both crops.
(ii) examine
the effect of population density of mungbean on growth and seed yield of maize
and mungbean intercrop.
(iii) determine
the appropriate time to introduce maize into mungbean stands in order to maximize the yield of the component crops.
(iii) calculate the gross
monetary return of the enterprise.
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