Reaction of Pearl Millet Infected with Downy Mildew (Sclerospora Graminicola (Sacc.) Schroet) Intercropped Cowpea with on Days to 50% Heading and Grain Yield in the Savanna Zone of Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Field trials were carried out at the Teaching and Research farm of Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil with three pearl millet varieties in 2003, 2004 and 2005 rainy seasons to find out the reaction of cowpea intercropped with pearl millet infected with downy mildew on days to 50% heading and grain yield. The experiment was a 3 x 2 factorial in randomized blocks of six plots with three pearl millet varieties (LCIC 9702, Ex-Borno and Zango) and each variety was intercropped with a cowpea and planted sole making six treatments. Data collected on days to 50% heading and grain yield were subjected to T-test for the separation of means of sole and intercropped to bring out the differences between them at 1% and 5% levels of significance. Results showed that intercropped LCIC pearl millet variety had significantly (P≤0.05) more days to 50% heading than other varieties either planted sole or intercropped in 2004. Similarly, from the combined result, it showed that intercropped LCIC pearl millet variety had significantly (P≤0.05) more days to 50% heading than other varieties either solely planted or intercropped. Maximum grain yield was however obtained from sole Zango and intercropped LCIC 9702 pearl millet varieties. Combined result shows only intercropped LCIC 9702 had significantly (P≤0.05) maximum grain yield than other pearl millet varieties. It is imperative to grow sole LCIC 9702 pearl millet variety than intercropped with cowpea for less number of days to 50% heading. But for maximum grain yield, it is advisable to grow sole Zango and intercrop LCIC 9702 with cowpea.