Effect of leguminous cover crops on the growth and yield of Zea mays L. (maize)

Abstract

The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replicates. Treatments consist of: maize + Mucuna (T₁), maize +  Stylosanthes (T₂), maize + Centrosema (T₃), maize + Lablab (T₄) and no legume intercrop (T₀) which served as a control. Significant increase in growth was seen in Mucuna pruriens (T₁) plots, as it increased most the growth characteristics of maize plant (plant height 220.0 cm, leaf number 12.0/plant, Root length 30.0 cm, collar diameter 9.0 mm and leaf area 87.0 cm²) than other treatments. Stylosanthes gracilis (T ) significantly improved 2 the yield parameters of Zea mays at 11 weeks after planting as its recorded highest values of dry biomass weight (250.0g/plant), cob number (11.0/plot) and weight (1000.0g/plant) compared with values obtained from other treatments. A linear plot of the natural log of the growth data over time (5 to 11 weeks after planting) showed that all leguminous intercrops positively increased plant height, leaf area, collar diameter and root length. However, negative growth rate was observed on leaf number in all leguminous intercrop plots, except in Stylosanthes plots. Linear regression model was able to predict closely all growth parameters at 11 weeks after planting when compared with values obtained from experimental results at 11 weeks after planting. It was concluded that sustainable agriculture can be achieved in cereal-legume systems, and that application of M. pruriens (T₁) and S. gracilis (T₂) significantly improved the growth and yield parameters of maize, respectively.