J. Bio. & Env. Sci.

2012

Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)

ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online)
Vol. 2, No. 2, p. 38-44, 2012
http://www.innspub.net
RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Evaluation of yield and yield components of Maize (Zea mays L.)

and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) intercropping
system at Makurdi, Nigeria
Michael Ojore Ijoyah*, John Jimba
Department of Crop Production, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue
State, Nigeria

Received: 22 January 2012

Revised: 06 February 2012
Accepted: 07 February 2012

Key words: Maize, okra, Intercropping, cropping system, Nigeria.

Abstract
Field experiments were conducted from July to October during 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons at the Research
Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, to evaluate the yield and yield components of maize and okra
in mixture and to assess the advantages of the intercropping system. The three cropping systems (sole maize, sole
okra and the intercrop of maize and okra) constituted the treatments, which were laid out in a randomized
complete block design with four replications. Results of study showed that maize yield was not significantly
affected by intercropping with okra. However, intercrop okra yield was significantly (P≤0.05) depressed by 24.5
% and 25.9 % respectively, in 2009 and 2010 compared to monocropped okra. Total intercrop yield was greater
than the component crop yield, either planted as sole or in mixture. Intercropping okra and maize gave land
equivalent ratio (LER) values of 1.84 and 1.80 respectively, for years 2009 and 2010, indicating that higher
productivity per unit area was achieved by growing the two crops together than by growing them separately. With
these LER values, 45.7 % and 44.4 % of land was saved respectively, in 2009 and 2010, which could be used for
other agricultural purposes. In addition, maize was about three-fifths (3/5) as competitive as okra, indicating that
both crops are complimentary and suitable in mixture.
*Corresponding Author: Michael Ojore Ijoyah  [email protected]

38 | Ijoyah and Jimba

 J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2012

Introduction Materials and methods

Intercropping of crops by smallholder and peasant Site description
farmers has been a common practice throughout the The study was conducted at the Research Farm,
years. Monocropping of pure stands have been University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria during
emphasized because of its advantages (Gondwe, the planting seasons of 2009 and 2010 to evaluate
1992). Despite the advantages of monocropping, the yields and yield components of maize and okra in
almost all smallholder and peasant farmers in the mixture and to assess the advantages and suitability
developing world still practice intercropping (Ijoyah, of the intercropping system. The study location (7 0
2011). This practice may allow complementary 48/N, 80 39/) and at an altitude of 228 m, falls within
interactions in crops that have greater system the Southern Guinea savanna agroecological zone of
resilience (Wolfe, 2000), reduce insect pest incidence Nigeria. The meteorological information of the area
(Ramert, 2002), reduce disease transfer (Wolfe, over the trial period is provided in Table 1. The
2000) and deliver environmental benefits such as average monthly temperature over the years ranged
greater soil and water conservation potential (Gilley from 21.2 0C to 32.4 0C, while the average relative
et al., 2002). humidity ranged from 75.2 % to 79.8 %. Mean daily
radiation was low throughout the growth period
Over 75 % of maize and 60 % of okra grown in while the month of July recorded the highest amount
Nigeria are produced under intercropping system of rainfall and highest number of rainy days.
(Ofosu-Anin and Limbani, 2007; Ijoyah and Jimba,
2011). Unamma (1999) in his studies on yields Land preparation, experimental design, planting
obtained from crops under intercropping reported and varieties
that maize depressed the yield of yam by about 28 % The experimental field was ploughed, harrowed,
in a yam-maize mixture even though the maize ridged and divided into twelve treatments plots, each
population used was only 50 % of the optimum for measuring 3 m x 2.1 m. Each plot consisted of 3
sole maize. Similarly, Ijoyah (2011) reported that ridges spaced 1 m apart. The three cropping systems
tuber yield of yam-minisetts intercropped with maize (sole maize, sole okra and the intercrop of maize and
was significantly (P≤0.05) depressed by 15.0 % and okra) constituted the treatments. The treatments
16.3 % respectively, in 2003 and 2004 compared to were arranged in a randomized complete block
monocultured yam-minisett. design (RCBD) with four replications.

In Nigeria, apart from interplanting maize with field In the sole maize plot, seeds were planted in mid-
crops such as yam, farmers do also intercrop with July in each year, on top of ridges, at a depth of about
vegetable such as okra (Norman, 1992). Despite the 2 cm using 30 cm intra-row spacing. Two maize
fact that intercropping of maize and okra is a seeds were sown per hole and later thinned to one
common practice in Nigeria, studies have not been plant per stand at 3 weeks after planting (WAP)
conducted to evaluate the effect of intercropping on giving a plant population density of 21 maize stands
the yields of the crops. The present study was per plot (35,000 plants per hectare equivalent). In
therefore carried out to determine the yield the sole okra plot, seeds were planted at a depth of 2
performance of maize and okra in mixture and to cm, on top of ridges, using 30 cm intra-row spacing,
assess the advantages and suitability of the giving a plant population of 21 okra stands per plot
intercropping system. (35,000 plants per hectare equivalent). The third
treatment consisted of the intercrop of maize and
okra at equal population densities. Okra was planted
in between the stands of maize, on top of the ridges.

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 J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2012

Table 1. Meteorological information for Makurdi (July– October) 2009, 2010.

Both maize and okra were planted at the same time 1, 100 Kg P ha-1 and 100 Kg K ha-1 (Enwezor et al.,
in mid-July as soles and in intercrop. The variety of 1989) were applied using the row method of
maize used was ‘Downy mildew early streak application. The fertilizer was applied twice to each
resistance-white’ (DMESR-W), while that of okra was plot at 3 and 8 WAP.
‘NH47-4’. Both varieties of crops are popularly grown
by farmers and shows good adaptation to the local Harvesting of maize and okra were done in late
environment (Ijoyah and Kalu, 2003; Ijoyah and October in each year. Maize was harvested when
Jimba, 2011). large portion of the leaves were observed dried and
falling off which are signs of senescence (Ijoyah,
Cultural practices 2011). Okra was harvested when the tip of pod was
The plots were manually weeded as the need arose. observed to break easily when pressed with the finger
The recommended rates of compound fertilizer tip (Usman, 2001).
(NPK) for sole maize: 100 Kg N ha -1, 40 Kg P ha-1 and
60 Kg K ha-1 (Ekpete, 2000); for sole okra: mixed Data collection
fertilizer NPK (15:15:15) at the rate of 100 Kg ha -1; Data taken for okra included plant height at
and for the intercrop of maize and okra: 100 Kg N ha - flowering (measured as the distance from the soil

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 J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2012

surface to the tip of the top most leaf), number of Results and discussion
branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf The yield and yield components of okra as affected by
area at 50 % flowering (determined by the length- intercropping with maize at Makurdi, Nigeria in
width method as described by Wuhua, 1985), pod years 2009 and 2010 is given in Table 2. The height
length, pod diameter, number of pods per plant and of okra plant was significantly (P≤0.05) greater
yield (t ha-1). under intercropping compared to sole cropping. The
greater population of plants under intercropping and
Data taken for maize included maize plant height competition for light and other growth resources
(cm) at flowering, days to 50 % flowering, number of might have induced higher plant height of okra.
cobs per plot, cob length (cm) and cob diameter (cm)
were determined using a measuring tape. The Although the number of branches per plant and
diameters at the head, centre and tail ends of the number of leaves per okra plant were not affected by
cobs were measured and averaged. The cobs were intercropping, however, leaf area of okra was
weighed using an electronic weighing balance to significantly (P≤0.05) greater for monocultured okra
obtain cob weight (g). The cobs were later shelled than for intercropped okra. This might be due to the
manually, while the total grains for each plot weighed competitive effect for growth resources when both
to obtain the yield (t ha-1). Thereafter, 1000 grains crops are in mixture. Maize could have exhibited a
were taken from the whole bulk of grains and shading effect over okra, thus promoting a reduction
weighed to obtain weight of 1000 grains (g). in the leaf area. This view agreed with that of Madu
and Nwosu (2001) who reported that yams planted
Statistical analysis sole, generally have greater efficiency in utilizing the
All data were statistically treated using the Analysis growth environment, thus promoting a larger leaf
of variance (ANOVA) for randomized complete block area.
design and the Least Significant Difference (LSD)
was used for mean separation (P≤0.05) following the In both years, pod length and pod diameter were not
procedure of Steel and Torrie (1980). The land significantly (P≤0.05) affected by intercropping, but
equivalent ratio (LER) was determined as described number of pods and okra yield were significantly
by Willey (1985) using the formula: (P≤0.05) greater for monocropped okra than for
intercropped okra. The greatest number of pods
produced for monocropped okra could have been
influenced by the greater number of branches and
leaves per plant. This view supports Ijoyah et al.,
(2010) who reported that the number of pods would
The competitive ratio (CR) as described by Willey
depend on the intensity of growth of the plant. In
and Rao (1980) was determined using the formula:
addition, the larger leaf area produced for sole crop
CR= Lo/Lm Zo/Zm, where Lo: Partial LER for okra;
might have promoted its greater yield. This view
Lm: Partial LER for maize; Zo and Zm: are the sown
supports Moniruzzaman et al., (2007) who observed
proportion of okra and maize respectively.
a correlation between leaf area and yield.
The percentage (%) land saved as described by Willey
Intercropping significantly (P≤0.05) depressed okra
(1985) using the formula:
yield by 24.5 % and 25.9 % respectively, in 2009 and
% Land saved= 100- 1/LER x 100. These calculations
2010 compared to when okra was planted sole (Table
were used to assess the advantages of the
2).
intercropping system.

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 J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2012

Table 2. Yield and yield components of okra as affected by intercropping with maize at Makurdi, Nigeria in 2009
and 2010 planting seasons.

Maize plant height at flowering, days to 50 % growing them separately (Table 4). With these LER
flowering, number of cobs per plot, cob length, cob values, 45.7 % and 44.4 % of land was saved
diameter, cob weight, weight of 1000 grains and respectively, in 2009 and 2010 and which could be
maize yield were not significantly affected by used for other agricultural purposes.
intercropping (Table 3) but maize yield in an okra
and maize intercrop was greater by 8.2 % and 5.7 % Maize was about three-fifths (3/5) as competitive as
respectively, in 2009 and 2010 compared to the yield okra. The competitive pressure of the component
obtained from sole maize at equivalent population crops was low, thus, indicating that both crops are
density. This view agreed with Ijoyah (2011) who complementary and suitable in mixture.
reported that maize yield in a yam-minisett and
maize intercrop was greater by 11.7 % and 10.0 % Conclusion
respectively, in 2003 and 2004 compared to the yield From the results obtained, it can be concluded that it
obtained from sole maize at equivalent population is advantageous to intercrop okra with maize. This is
density. The greater maize yield obtained under associated with a greater total intercrop yield, higher
intercropping with okra could be attributed to a land equivalent ratio greater than 1.0, indicating a
greater soil moisture conservation, thus, promoting a greater productivity per unit area. In addition, a
greater absorption of other growth resources. greater percentage of land was saved that can be used
Intercrops have been identified to conserve water for other agricultural purposes. The competitive
(Ogindo and Walker, 2005). Barhom (2001) also pressure between the component crops was low,
reported that water capture by intercrops was higher indicating that both crops are complementary and
by about 7 % compared to monocrop. suitable in mixture. It is however recommended that
further investigation of study be evaluated across a
The total intercrop yield was greater than the wider combination of okra and maize varieties and
component crop yield (Table 4). Intercropping okra across different locations within the Southern Guinea
and maize gave land equivalent ratio (LER) values of savanna ecological zone of Nigeria.
1.84 and 1.80 respectively, in years 2009 and 2010,
indicating that higher productivity per unit area was
achieved by growing the two crops together than by

42
 J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2012

Acknowledgement Ijoyah MO, Jimba J. 2011. Effects of planting

The author is grateful to the research technicians of methods, planting dates and intercropping systems
the University of Agriculture Research farm in on sweet potato-okra yields in Makurdi, Nigeria.
Makurdi, for their assistance in the field operations. Agricultural Science Research Journal 1(8), 184-190.

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