Moses Samuel BASSEY
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi –
Nigeria
Joy Ekaette ETOPOBONG
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi –
Nigeria
Bigun Ishaku PONMAN
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Bida
– Nigeria
Sheriff Adam BADOM
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi –
Nigeria
Aliyu USMAN
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi –
Nigeria
Abubakar Kutigi MOHAMMED
National Cereals Research Institute, P.M.B. 8, Badeggi –
Nigeria
Opeyemi Ruth IBRAHIM
National Biotechnology Development Agency, Ilori, Nigeria
https://doi.org/10.47743/jpd.2021.28.1.876
Keywords: Grain yield, intercropping, legume,
Maize, Striga infestation.
Abstract: Millions of hectares devoted to cereal
production in Africa were affected by Striga infestation
across locations and time. A study was conducted in 2012 and 2013
rainy seasons at the Teaching and Research Farms of Niger State
College of Agriculture, Mokwa and the Teaching and Research Farms
of Federal University of Technology, Minna, in the Southern Guinea
Savanna ecology of Nigeria to determine cereal / legume intercropping
and N fertilization effects on Striga infestation, Soil
C and N and grain yield of maize. The treatments consisted of
four inorganic N fertilizer levels (0, 60, 90, 120 kg ha-1), alternate
hill and same hill intercropping of Aeschynomene histrix.
Intercropping maize with A. histrix has the potential
of reducing Striga parasitism with about 33-47% with
respect to Striga shoots per m-2 and Striga
shoots per plot thus, enhancing maize grain yield. The use of
herbaceous legumes in intercropping contributed about 58% SOC
and 52-57% reduction in number of S. hermonthica due
to application of N using urea, thereby helping to control Striga
infestation. Intercropping maize with A. histrix improved
the soil organic matter and hence, the physical, chemical and
biological properties of the soil for good crop growth. Incorporation
of the A. histrix residues substantially increased the
soil N content. There was response to inorganic N fertilizer application,
suggesting the need for N application to maize for optimum grain
yield. Nitrogen rate of 60 kg ha-1 was optimum for maize yield
in the study area.
How to cite this article:
BASSEY M. S., ETOPOBONG J. E., PONMAN B. I., BADOM S. A., USMAN
A., MOHAMMED A. K. & IBRAHIM O. R. 2021. Intercropping and
N fertilization effects on Striga infestation, soil C
and N and grain yield of maize in the Southern Guinea Savanna
of Nigeria. J. Plant Develop. 28: 97-108.
https://doi.org/10.47743/jpd.2021.28.1.876
[PDF]
