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Effect of Planting Pattern and Irrigation Frequency on Forage Yield and Chemical Composition of Lablab (Lablab Purpureus (L.) Sweet) in Combination with Maize (Zea mays L.)


MR Hassan
IR Muhammad
GE Jokthan
JT Amodu
SB Abdu
B Abdullahi
HY Adamu
S Yashim
MS Tamburawa
U Ado
SA Abubakar

Abstract

A study was conducted at Kadawa Experimental Research Station of the Institute for Agricultural Research Kano during the 2010/2011 dry season to determine forage yield of lablab, nutritive quality of lablab forage and maize grain yield using five (5) different planting patterns and three (3) irrigation frequencies. A 5 x 3 factorial experiment in a complete randomized block design with a split plot arrangement was used. The results indicated that there was a positive correlation between weeks after sowing lablab and plant height (R2 = 0.88). Alternate rows showed 35% increase in forage yield (P<0.05) compared to sole maize (control). The 9 days irrigation interval showed 10% increase (P<0.05) in forage yield compared to 3 and 6 days intervals. However, sole maize produced 39% higher (P<0.05) grain yield compared to intercrops. Irrigation interval at 6 days produced 13% higher (P<0.05) maize grain yield compared to 3 and 9 days intervals. The highest (P<0.05) crude protein (CP) content of 21% was observed in sole lablab treatment. Intercropped lablab had the lowest (P<0.05) crude fibre (CF) compared with the control. It was therefore recommended that smallholder farmers in igeria could introduce lablab as a relay crop with irrigated maize for improved livestock performance, income generation and environmental control.

Key words: Forage, irrigation, lablab, maize, Nigeria


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eISSN: 1119-4308