Cassava/maize intercrops have been reported to be highly productive, mainly because of their
different growth patterns. However, there is limited information on the influence of maize planting
density in the cassava/maize intercrop on the performance of hybrid maize and improved cassava
genotypes in Uganda. Thus, this study determined whether recently released cassava genotypes
which are selected on the basis of monocrop performance, would perform equally well when
intercropped with hybrid maize varieties. Cassava genotypes NAROCASS 1 and NASE 14
intercropped with Longe 6H maize were evaluated using randomized complete block design and
three replications. Treatments were: Sole maize (SM), sole cassava (SC), alternate rows of cassava
and maize (1C:1M), and one row of cassava alternating with two rows of maize (1C:2M).
Intercropping significantly increased the maize plant heights in the 1C:2M system than in sole
maize. Cob length and number of rows per cob decreased as the plant population density increased.
Maize grain yield under the 1C:1M system was comparable to that of sole cropping. The 1C:2M
system gave significantly reduced grain yields when compared with those at 1C:1M. Cassava root
yield decreased in the order (SM>1C:1M>1C:2M). Although the yields of both cassava and maize
under sole cropping were higher than their intercrop counterparts, intercropping was more
productive than sole cropping as evidenced by the land equivalent ratios.
Real Time Impact Factor:
Pending
Author Name: Benson Ekwaro , Boniface Wanaku , Sylvester Katuromunda
URL: View PDF
Keywords: Crop Yield; Land Equivalent Ratio; Manihot Esculenta; Plant Density; Sole Cropping.
ISSN: 2394-3629(P)
EISSN: 2350-0530(O)
EOI/DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3354225
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