RESPONSE OF MAIZE TO INTERCROPPING OF SOYABEAN ON STRIGA HERMONTHICACONTROL IN MINNA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Field trial was conducted in 2013 cropping seasonon a naturally heavily Strigainfested field at the research farm of Gidan Kwano campus of Federal University of Technology, Minna (Lat 09031’15’’N and Long 6026’15’’E) to determine the effect of spacing and intercropping soyabean on Strigahermonthicacontrol in two varieties of maize(Strigaresistant TZL-Compl-syn-STR-W1 and susceptible SAMMAZ 16). The intercropped with soyabean variety Tam 59 and spacing at0 cm, 40cm, 60 cm and 80cm. Theexperiment was layout in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results indicate that there was significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the maize varieties in developing Strigashoot emergence, reducing Strigashoot density per stand and per plot, Strigashoot flowering, and maize syndrome action score. The resistant maize variety was significantly taller(104.18cm at 8WAS) and produced greater 100 grain weight(523.0g), although there were no significant difference in the maize cob weight(876.9 and 854.5g), and maize varieties.There was no significant effect of spacingand intercropping (57.64 and 58.38) on number of days from planting of maize to Strigaemergence. At 40cm spacing and intercropping there were significant difference on maize shoot density per stand and per plot(0.67 and 2.17 at 6WAS), Strigashoot flowering and severity score by 58 to 60% compared with 0cm (control) and other (60cm and 80cm), the Strigawere significantly reduced, hence less damages. There wereno significant difference in spacing and intercropping on maize cob weight, maize grain yield and 100 grain weight.