Effects of intercropping and plant density on growth, development and yield of pigeonpeas (cajanus Cajun cl.) millsp. and maize (zea mays L.). under semiarid conditions of Kenya
Abstract
In semi-arid areas of Kenya 95% and 7U% of
pigeonpeas and maize, respectively are intercropped
annually. This study was designed to determine the
effects of intercropping pigeonpeas and maize at
variable plant densities and also to determine the
appropriate intercropping ratio or combination for
optimum economic yield.
Two pigeoopea cultivars were intercropped
with Katumani maize at three plant densities in Kabete,
Thika and Kiboko during the 1986/87 cropping
season. The experimental design was a split-split
plot with three replications at each location. Results
indicated that intercropping and plant density
reduced leaf area and shoot dry weight of both pigeonpeas
and maize. Plant height of pigeonpeas was
reduced by intercropping while that of maize was
increased. In pigeonpeas number of mature pods and
grain yield per plant were reduced by both intercropping
and high plant density. Reduction in 100
seed weight varied with location suggesting an environmental
influence. For maize, number of cobs
and grain yield per plant were also reduced by
intercropping and high plant density.
, (xxiv)
Generally, yield per hectare of a species in'
intercrop was lower than in monocrop, but total yield
of intercrops (pigeonpea + maize) gave higher yield advantage
over monocrops. Land equivalent ratio (LER)
values indicated that all intercrop ratios were superior
to monocropping. At all the experimental sites best intercrop
combination was attained when a row of pigeonpea
alternated with a row of maize. Each crop at an interrow
spacing of 105 cm.
Citation
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of master of science in agronomy in the University of Nairobi.Publisher
Plant Science & Crop Protection, University of Nairobi