ADIGBO S.O.
Abstract
The study was conducted to investigate the performance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) (Walp.) Intercropped with
amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) in an inland valley (IVs) during the dry season. The 4 by 2 factorial experiment was
carried out in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 dry season at the University of Agriculture Abeokuta. The design was
randomized complete block design (RCBD). The varieties used were IT90K-76, IT90K-277-2, Oloyin and Drum while
the cropping system was sole and intercrop. Amaranth, a vegetable usually planted in the IVs in the dry season was
intercropped with each cowpea variety. The intercrop proportion mixture and population adopted in this study was
additive series. Cowpea grain in intercropping was similar with sole in both years. The four varieties of cowpea had
similar yield in 2003/2004 whereas the grain yield of IT90K-76, IT90K-277-2 and Oloyin were similar but significantly
higher than that of Drum in 2004/2005 dry seasons. The moisture content of the soil in each plot monitored weekly
during the growth period of cowpea/amaranth was similar. It ranged between 13–26 and 12–26% in 2003/2004 and
2004/2005, respectively. The depth of ground water table during the growth period varied between 59–75 and 61–
110 cm in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005, respectively. Land equivalent ratio (LER) also varied between 1.31–1.62 and
1.33–1.90 in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 dry season, respectively. Thus, the yield produced in the total intercrop would
have required 31–62% and 33–90% more land in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005, respectively if planted in pure stands yield
advantage of intercrop over the sole. Intercropping amaranth with cowpea was compatible in terms of insecticidal
spray.
Key words:
Amaranth, cowpea, intercrop, inland valley