Abstract:
Experiments were conducted to evaluate productivity
indices and their response to varying spacing of
bambaranuts (Vigna subterranea L. Verdec) intercropped
with maize. The indices were land equivalent ratio (LER),
area time equivalent ratio (ATER), relative yield (RY),
system productivity index (SPI), monetary advantage (MA)
and income equivalent ratio (IER). Three crop planting
systems were used as factors: sole bambaranut,
bambaranut intercropped with maize, and sole maize.
Bambaranut seeds were sown in 1:1 alternate rows of
maize and at various spacing on plots measuring 4.5 × 3.5
m. There were three factors in different levels: (1) sole
bambaranut sown at intra-row spacing of (i) 45 cm, (ii) 35
cm, (iii) 30 cm, (iv) 25 cm, and (v) 15 cm; (2) sole maize; (3)
intercropped maize-bambaranut in: (i) 45 cm, (ii) 35 cm,
(iii) 30 cm, (iv) 25 cm, and (v) 15 cm. A medium maturing
maize variety Hybrid H513 was sown at the constant intraand
inter-row spacing of 75 × 30 cm at the populationdensity of 45714 plants/ha for all plots. Bambaranut
landrace KK204 was used for the study. The experiment
was repeated for three growing seasons (2006/2007,
2007/2008 and 2008/2009). Significant (p<0.05)
differences for both mono- and intercropped bambaranuts
for weight of pods/plant; pod and grain yield, IER, MA and
SPI for 2006/2007, 2007/2008 and 2008/09 growing
seasons; shelling %, LER and ATER for 2006/2007 and
2007/2008 growing seasons; relative yield (RY) for
2007/2008 and 2008/2009. Maize showed significant
(p<0.05) differences for both mono-and those intercropped
with bambaranuts for shelling %, grain yield/ha for
2006/2007 and 2007/2009 growing seasons, RY and IER
for 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 growing seasons.
