Assessing the productive efficiency of bambara groundnut and sorghum intercrops in Botswana

Abstract

An intercropping experiment consisting of three rows of Bambara groundnut and one row of sorghum (lI); two rows of Bambara groundnut and two rows of sorghum and one row of Bambara groundnut and three rows of sorghum (h) was grown together with sole crops of the components at the same intra-row spacing as in the intercrops. The productivity of each intercrop and sole crop component was determined in terms of a Crop Performance Ratio (CPR) defined as the productivity of an intercrop per unit area of ground compared with that expected from sole crops sown in the same proportion. The results showed that CPR for total dry weight in the intercrops ranged between 1.05 to 1.28 while the reproductive yield ranged from 1.41 to 1.82. Intercropping system with high population of Bambara groundnut (50% and above) had reproductive yield advantage over that with low (less than 50%) Bambara groundnut population. This advantage was due to greater efficiency of light conversion brought about through improved LAI, petiole/internode ratio and canopy spread in the Bambara groundnut component of the intercrops compared to its sole crop component. Bambara groundnut and sorghum intercrop is compatible and therefore recommended for small holder farmers fn Botswana and other areas of similar climate.

Keywords: Intercropping, crop performance ratio, small holder fanners,energy equivalent, Bambara groundnut, Botswana

Tanzania J. Agric. Sc. (2000) VoL3 No.2, 147-158