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Dec 2, 2020Keywords:
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Utilization of Maize–Millet-Okra Intercropping Systems in Western Nigeria
Abstract
Utilization of Maize–Millet-Okra intercropping systems was investigated in Southwest, Nigeria. Yield attributes of each of the crops during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons formed the basis for the investigation. Indices, such as water use efficiency (WUE), water equivalent ratio (WER) and land equivalent ratio (LER) were calculated to characterize the intercropping efficiency of land and water use compared to when in cropping. The results showed that WUE of crops in combination and intercrop ranged from 5.7 to 61.67 Kg/ha/mm, LER in combination and intercrop ranged from 0.57 to 1.46 and WER ranged from 1.00 to 2.04. Okra performed excellently well in WUE, WER and LER in its combination with maize and millet. 2-tier intercrop performed better than 3-tier intercrop irrespective of the crop combination. Land equivalent ratio consistently gave values of more than 1, indicating the superiority of intercropping over sole cropping. Crops in intercrop, irrespective of combination method utilized water effectively than in sole cropping. Though, water is not a limiting factor in the study area, intercropping utilized water more effectively when planted in row intercropping system.
Key words: WUE, WER, LER, intercrop, combination
