MAIZE VARIETY AND POPULATION STUDIES IN A CASSAVA/MAIZE INTERCROPPING SYSTEM

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to identify some agronomic

characters of maize plants which make them suitable for use in

cassava/maize intercropping systems. The feasibility of

intercropping cassava with high maize populations was also

studied.

A strip-split plot design with a parallel-row systematic

arrangement in which five maize varieties, IK.84A-2135,

IB84A-203 , TZSR-Y-1, 1368 x 5012 and 9450 x 4001 at five

population densities of 10,000, 20,000, 40,000, 80,000 and

160.000 plants/ha intercropped within two cassava spacings, 100

x 100cm and 100 x 67cm was used. .

Increasing maize population in the mixture from 10,000 tQ

160.000 plants/ha caused a decrease in leaf area, stalk

diameter, leaf angle, ear weight, delayed silking, increased

ear and plant height, leaf area index, root and stem lodging,

barrenness and stover weight of maize. Maize yields peaked at

80.000 plants/ha and declined thereafter. Cassava spacing did

no affect maize yields. Correlations between maize yields and

agronomic characteristics of the maize varieties were not

consistent.

Agronomic characteristics of cassava observed at 8 weeks,

four months and seven months after planting indicated that

maize plant height and maturity had an effect on cassava growth.

Cassava plant height and internode length increased whilst stem

diameter, number of branches and leaves, root yield and its

related components, shoot and root dry weight, and harvest

index decreased with increasing intercropped maize population.

Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) values indicated that

shortness and earliness are desirable agronomic characteristics

too be incorporated in maize varieties intended to be used in

cassava/maize intercropping. Suggested optimum maize

population in the intercrop for IK84A-2135 was 80,000

plants/ha. This population gave the highest LER. At the same

range of cassava spacings, 40,000 plants/ha of the other maize

varieties could be used.