Abasianyanga Edem ISONG
National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi – Nigeria
Fatima Alhaji UMAR
National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi – Nigeria
Wadi Sebastine MAMZA
National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi – Nigeria
Chioma Abasianyanga ISONG
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso – Nigeria
Usman Alhassan GBANGUBA
National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi – Nigeria
Ibrahim Gaba MOHAMMED
National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi – Nigeria
Bolaji Zuluqurineen SALIHU
National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi – Nigeria
Ekaete George UDOFIA
National Biotechnology Research Development agency (NBRDA) Abuja
– Nigeria
Jude Nwafor EZE
National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi – Nigeria
https://doi.org/10.47743/jpd.2025.32.1.971
Keywords: combination system, competition indices,
fonio, intercrop, maize, performance, resources.
Abstract: The investigation was to analyze for
yield characters and competition indices in fonio-maize intercrop.
NCRIACH2 fonio and DMR-SR maize were deployed, inter-cropping
arrangement was in eleven proportions, having 10 rows of planting
patterns. Higher land productivity and greater resource efficiency
through increased yield and crop diversification were generally
observed. 1F:1M combination recorded 32% advantage in land productivity,
while 3F:1M has 1.55, showing significant land-use efficiency
when fonio constitutes 75% of the system. FM 100:100 combination
system indicated that maize and fonio can complement each other.
1F:3M system resulted in reduced fonio performance due to maize’s
dominance. Relative Crowding coefficient values confirm that maize
has higher competitive pressure on fonio than vice versa. 1F:2M
and 2F:2M systems could potentially balance for crop yield while
optimizing space, nutrients, and water usage. Farmers in rain-fed
areas are encouraged to adopt inter-cropping systems, particularly
those with a balanced ratio of fonio and maize.
How to cite this article:
ISONG A. E., UMAR F. A., MAMZA W. S., ISONG C. A., GBANGUBA U.
A., MOHAMMED I. G., SALIHU B. Z., UDOFIA E. G. & EZE J. N.
2025. Agronomic performance and competition indices in fonio-maize
inter-crop under rain-fed conditions. J. Plant Develop.
32: 117-131.
https://doi.org/10.47743/jpd.2025.32.1.971
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