The Effect Of Intercropping Cocoyam With Four Varieties Of Vegetable Cowpea Of Contrasting Character On Cocoyam

ABSTRACT

A study was carried out between April and October, 2004 at Umudike to investigate the effects of intercropping cocoyam with vegetable cowpea of contrasting characters (climbing Akidienu, spreading Akidiani, semi-erect IT81D-1228-14 and erect IT 86F-204-1) on the growth and yield of cocovam (Cocoindia). The experiment was  laid out as randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Tuber yield of the monocrop and cocoyam intercropped with climbing Akidienu were similar but significantly higher than the yield of cocoyim intercropped with the erect (IT86F-204-i) vegetable cowpea. intercropping depressed tuber yields by 15, 25 and 40% in spreading (Akidiani), semi-erect (IT81D-1228-14) and the erect (IT86F- 204-1) vegetable cowpeas, respectively. Soil PH obtained with the monocrop and the cocoyam intercropped with climbing Akidienu and semi-erect IT 81D-1228-14 were similar but significantly higher than pH in the intercrop with erect IT 86F-204-1 and spreading (Akidiani) vegetable cowpeas.