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Evaluation of new cassava genotypes for intercropping in a cassava-based system of southeastern Nigeria
Abstract
From the RSI, 10 Cassava genotypes were found compatible with maize and melon. A linear function described the relationship between cassava fresh root yield and maize yield with a significant coefficient of determination ((R2) = 0.889 and correlation coefficient ® of 0.94. Significant correlation was also established between sole cassava and intercropped cassava yields (r = 0.52), while a yield depression of between 20 and 60% was recorded in the cassava for the 2 years. Fitting a bi-plot, four distinct groups emerged thus; Group 1 – optimum performance of cassava and maize (12 genotypes), Group II – low yield of cassava and high yield of maize (5 genotypes), Group III – High yield of cassava and low yield of maize (3 genotypes) and Group IV – low yield of both cassava and maize (1 genotype). Most genotypes identified as being compatible for intercropping by the 2 techniques were similar except in few cases.
[Niger Agric. J. 33 (2002): 50-59]