ABSTRACT

Cowpea with contrasting growth habits were sown sole or iiilercropped with maize. The e fkcts of the vanalmons in the i-dative SOWit1L times of component crops in climbing, Sprea(liim all(l erect cowpea arid maize intei'cropping systems vere examined in 2001 croppin seasons. Cowpea with contrasting growth habits were either sown the same day as or 5 weeks aller maize. lntercropping reduced the grovtli and yield of maize and cowpea relative to their sole crops. I lowever, maize reduced covpca yields more than the effect of cowpea on maize yields. In maize grains yield, length of cobs and 1 00 grains weight, there were no difference in stand amid inter CFOI) with cowpea with contrasting growth habits. In terms of' comparative assessment and total grain yield, there was no yield advantaie in erect cowpca sown 5 weeks afier maize. Ilowever, comparative assessment suggests that, it is better to grow spreading. climbing and erect cowpea the same day as maize (90° . 29% and I 6% respectively and spreading cowpea five weeks aller planting (35%). Thus. cowpea with contrasting growth habits could be 50\Vfl the caine day with maize or spreading cowpea S weeks after maize. The results were discussed in light of competitive ability of various components in the mixtures.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page

Pages

Certification • ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

List ofTablc v

Abstract vi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1-2

CHAPTER TWO: l.ITFRA'ftJRF RFVIEW 3

(Icnotype identification 3

lntercropping and its importance . -. 4 - 6

Indices br measuring productivity due to inter cropping 6

Relative Crowding co-cllicient 7

Aggressivity 7

Resources use in inter crop 7-9

Yield stability in inter cropping 9

Relaiive sowing times ... 9-12

CHAPTER THREE: MA'(LRIA!S ANI) MET1 IOI)S 13

Fxperimental site ... 13

l'reatment and treatment allocation 13

I .and preparation 14

Planting and seed germination 14

Cultural operations 14

Data collections 14 - 15

Statistical analysis ol the data 15

CHAPTER FOUR: REStJI,1'S 16

Growth components 16

Cowpca growth 1 6-18

Maize growth 19-22

Yield and Yield Components 22

Cowpea yield and yield component 22-24

Maize yield and yield component productivity of the mixtures .... 24 - 26

Productivity of the rn ixtures 27

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION 28-29

CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY ANT) CONCLUSION... 30

CHAPTER SEVEN: RFITRENCF 31-37