Tunku P., Odion E.C., Amans E.B., Shebayan J.A.Y., Ishaya D.B., Adekpe D.I.
Abstract
Field trials were conducted during the 2002 and 2003 wet season, at the Institute for Agricultural Research Farm,
Samaru (11°11', 07°38'E) in the northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria to study the effect of component crop proportion
and pigeonpea green manure on yield and economic returns of maize/soyabean mixture. The treatments consisted of three
intercrops (1 : 1, 1 : 2, 2 : 1 maize: soyabean) and two sole crops of maize and soyabean with or without pigeon green
manure. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The highest maize grain
yield of 1 300 kg/ha and 400 kg/ha in 2002 and 2003 respectively was found in sole maize. However, among the
intercrops, the highest maize grain yield (1 000 kg/ha and 400 kg/ha in 2002 and 2003 respectively) was realized
in 1 : 2 ratio (one maize row alternated with two soyabean rows). The highest soyabean grain yield of 1 323 kg/ha
and 837 kg/ha in 2002 and 2003 respectively was realized in sole soyabean. Among the mixed crop, the highest
soyabean grain yield was realized in 1:2 ratio (one maize row alternated with two soyabean rows) with 752 kg/ha
in 2002 and 457 kg/ha in 2003. In terms of land use efficiency, 1:2 component crop proportion was the best pattern,
with LERs of 1.25 and 1.09 in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The highest cash returns of N 63 555 was realized in 2 : 1
in 2002 and N 32 578 from 1 : 2 in 2003. The highest grain yield of both crops and highest cash return was realized
in plots with pigeonpea green manure.
Key words:
mixture, green manure, maize, soyabean, yield, economic returns