Yield Performance of Some Cowpea Varieties under Sole and Intercropping with Maize at Bauchi, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during the 1997 and 1998 rainy seasons at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Research Farm, Bauchi (10020’N and 9048’E) to investigate the yield performance by some cowpea varieties under sole and intercropping with maize at Bauchi, Nigeria. Treatments consisted of three planting patterns (sole cowpea, cowpea/maize and sole maize) and ten cowpea varieties (IT89KD-391, IT93K-452-1, IT90K-277-2, IT86D-719, IT89KD-349, IT93K-734, IT93K-273-2-1, IT90K-372-1-2, and yar dunga (L)) combined factorially in a split plot design. Results revealed that cowpea plant height, days to fifty percent flowering; leaf area and leaf area indices were not significantly affected by intercropping in 1997 and 1998. The mean number of pod/plant, pod weight and seed yield of the cowpea varieties were significantly different in maize intercrop. Intercropping was also significant in affecting the plant height, leaf area and leaf area indices of maize in 1997 and 1998 cropping season. Similarly maize cob weight, stover and grain yield were significantly affected by intercropping. Land equivalent ratio greater than 1.00 and a maximum 2.11 were recorded in the two years of the investigation. For intercropping purpose, it is therefore suggested that varieties IT90K-372-1-2, IT90K-277-2, IT88D-867-11, IT89KD-391 and IT86D-719 are more suitable for high yield in Bauchi.