Effects of spacing/number of plants per stand and fertilizer placement on performance of two maize varieties intercropped with cowpea in the forest zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Two maize varieties, TZB and Kewesoke, intereropped with cowpea were grown in 1985 and 1986 planting seasons at spacings of 90 cm x 30 cm/ plant per stand, 90 cm x 60 cm/two plants per stand, and 90 cm x 90 cm/ three plants per stand. Fertilizer was placed 5 cm away from maize rows and midway between maize and cowpea rows. Plant height, number of leaves formed, leaf area index, yield components, phosphorus and potassium contents per plant were highest at spacing of 90 cm x 30 eml plant per stand. Phosphorus and potassium contents pet plant and yield components were higher with fertilizer placed:; em away from maize rows than the one placed midway between maize and cowpea rows. There were some interactions between spacing and fertilizer placement. There were no significant differences between the two varieties except in height. There were positive correlations between leaf area index, NPK and total grain yield.