Effect of soybean relayed into yam miniset/maize intercrop on the yields of component crops and soil fertility of yam based system

Abstract

The effect of four varieties of soybean (TGX 1019-2 EB, TGX 1448 – 2E, TGX 1740 – 2F. TGX 1440 – IE) relayed into yam ministett/maize system on the yield of component crops and soil fertility of yam based system was investigated at National Root Crops Research Institute, substation Otobi, Benue State, Nigeria. Soybean relayed into yam minisett/maize intercrop did not significantly affect both yam tuber and maize grain yields but significantly increased the productivity of the cropping system from one hundred and ninety one thousand four hundred Naira per hectare obtained without soybean to two hundred and thirty eight thousand eight hundred Naira per hectare obtained with soybean variety TGX 1448-2E. Soybean mean grain yield of 0.56, 0.48, and 0.43 t/ha obtained with TGX 1448-2E, TGX 1440-1E, and TGX 1740-2F respectively were similar but higher than 0.22 t/ha obtained with TGX 1019-2 EB. Soybean in the cropping system ensured large qualities of nutrients in the legume haulms. Soybean variety TGX 1448 – 2E and TGX 1440 – 1E contained significantly higher nitrogen in the haulms with values of 28.52 t/ha and 25.14 t/ha respectively than TGX 1740 – 2F and TGX 1019 – 2EB which contained 12.50 t/ha and 6.03 t/ha respectively. Phosphorus, K, Ca and Mg contents of the haulms were also in the same order.

Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol. 15 2005: 20-25