ABSTRACT
A two year study was carried out in the wet seasons of 2012 and 2013 to evaluate the performance of jute mallow, egusi-melon and pigeon pea under jute mallow/ egusi-melon/pigeon pea intercropping system in Abbi, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. The two - year experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Data were collected on plant height of jute mallow and pigeon pea by measuring with a tape rule calibrated in centimetres, plant/stem girth of jute mallow and pigeon pea with the use of veneer calipers, leaf yield of jute mallow and seed yields of pigeon pea and egusi- melon while the percentage (%) vine coverage of the egusi melon were assessed with a 5 point scale. The relative yield (RY) and land equivalent ratio (LER) were calculated from the yields. The result of the study showed that plant height and plant girth increased (P < 0.05) from 2 weeks after planting (WAP) to final measurement. Pigeon pea height and girth were statistical similar (P = 0.05) at 2 – 8 WAP and 2 -- 6 WAP respectively while jute mallows’ height and girth were significantly enhanced at sole plots at 6 to 8 WAP. The percentage vine coverage were (P = 0.05) at 2, 3 and 8 WAP. RY was highest in sole crops (1.00) and least in 3 crop intercrop while LER was highest in 3 crop intercrop (2.25) and least in sole crops (1.00). Conclusively, a 3 crops association with highest aggregate yield and LER of 2.25 is hereby recommended. |
KEYWORDS: |
Plant height, girth, vine coverage, yield, RY, LER. |
