EFFECTS OF MAIZE – COWPEA INTERCROPPING PATTERNS ON YIELD AND PROPERTIES OF TYPIC PLINTHUSTALFS SOIL IN SOUTH GUINEA SAVANNA ZONE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

One of the factors preventing Nigeria’s agriculture from being more productive is its low soil fertility. Adoption of maize-cowpea intercropping system is being promoted as one of the options for improving soil fertility. A field experiment was carried out at Kwara State University Teaching and Research Farm in 2018 cropping season to assess the effect of maizecowpea intercropping patterns on yield and soil properties. The experiment was laid out in a 2×4 factorial split plot arrangement in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The spatial row arrangement was the main block while population density was assigned to subplot. The yields and physical-chemical properties of soils were examined after all crops were harvested. Sole crop of both maize and cowpea was found to be significantly higher in yield parameters than their intercrops. Intercropping had no significant influence on textural class, bulk density and saturated hydraulic capacity of the soil. Soil total Nitrogen content was slightly increased in 2:2 spatial arrangements except in 100M: 25C and sole cowpea compared to initial total nitrogen. Soil organic matter at the intercrop increased as the population increased in 1:1 arrangement whereas, the value was not consistent in 2:2 row arrangement. Population density of (100M:100C) which produced (2151.94 for maize and 1813.64 kg/ha for cowpea) and 1:1 row spatial arrangement with superior Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) value can be recommended to the farmer. Also integrated fertility management strategy other than only
intercropping should be advocated.