ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to know the effect of spacing on maize and cowpea (vigna ung-uculata) mixtures as feed for livestock production. The experimental site was ploughed and harrowed twice. The experimental site measured 400m2and was divided into three (3) replicates' (blocks) which was in a 2x2 fractional Randomized complete design (RCBD). Each replicate was divided into six (6) treatments measuring 3.5 x 6m. Spacing was given as, sole maize 100cm, sole maize 50cm, sole akidi (Vigna unguiculata) 100cm, sole akidi 50cm (Vigna unguiculata), maize-akidi (Vigna unguiculata) 100cm, maize-akidi (Vigna ungviculata) 50cm. The maize used was purchased from the national root crop research institute (NRCI) Umudike, Abia state, and the varity of seed was oba super II. Akidi was bought at Okigwe local market. NPK 15 :15 : 15: fertilizer was added on the fourth week after planting. Chemical weed control was done a day before planting was done while weeding was done on the fourth week manually before fertilizer application. Six plants were harvested from each plots for both legume (cowpea) and maize. The legume (cowpea) was uprooted from the root while the maize was cut 10cm above the ground. Sample (leafs of both maize and cowpea) where collected, measured for fresh weight, oven dried, measured again, milled. The milled samples were used to determine the chemical composition and in vitro gas production. From the investigation, it revealed that at 100cm spacing sole maize had it highest dry matter and ash content while sole akidi in the interaction, effect of spacing and specie on both maize and akidi had significant differences except for lignin (maize ) and either extract (cowpea) the significant differences was caused by competition by the plants for available soil nutrients. In the in vitro gas production, the wider the spacing, the higher the gas produce (methane gas).