Mayisela, M.D. and Ossom, E.M. and Rhykerd, R.L. (2010) Influence of Different Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Populations on Physiological Growth Indices and Yields Under Intercropping With a Fixed Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] Population. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 6 (2). pp. 165-176.
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Abstract
A field investigation was conducted in Swaziland, in 2008/2009 cropping season, to evaluate effects that different groundnut populations could exert on growth indices and crop yields in a groundnutsweetpotato association. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block of five treatments: [1, pure sweetpotato (33,333 plants ha-1 ); 2, pure groundnut (200,000 plants ha-1 ); 3, pure groundnut (100,000 plants ha-1 ); 4, sweetpotato (33,333 plants ha-1 ) intercropped with groundnut (200,000 plants ha-1); and 5, sweetpotato (33,333 plants ha-1 ); intercropped with groundnut (100,000 plants ha-1)] and replicated four times. Results showed that intercropping sweetpotato (33,333 plants ha-1) with a high groundnut population (200,000 plants ha-1 ) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased crop growth rate, CGR (0.25-1.38 mg per cm2 per week per plant). Specific leaf mass (SLM) of sweetpotato was significantly (P < 0.05) increased (8.0-52.0 mg per cm2 per week per plant) by increased groundnut population. Sweetpotato yield was positively correlated with leaf area (R = 0.026); leaf area index (R = 0.023); and SLM (R = 0.0560). In groundnut, increased plant population under intercropping caused an increase in CGR (0.63 mg per cm2 per week) at 12-16 weeks after planting. Sole sweetpotato had the highest (16.2 tonnes ha-1) yield; intercropping sweetpotato with groundnut at 200,000 plants ha-1 gave the lowest tuber yield (13.2 tonnes ha-1 ); there were no significant tuber yield differences. Sole groundnut at 200,000 plants ha-1 gave the highest fresh pod yield (2.3 tonnes ha-1 ), whereas groundnut (200,000 plants ha-1 ) intercropped with sweetpotato resulted in lower yields in both crops (groundnut, 1.8 tonnes ha-1 ; sweetpotato,13.2 tonnes ha- 1 ). The lower groundnut population (100,000 plants ha-1 ) resulted in higher land equivalent ratio (74% yield advantage), whereas 200,000 plants ha-1 of groundnut intercropped with sweetpotato resulted in 54% yield advantage. It is concluded that intercropping sweetpotato at 33,333 plants ha-1 with groundnut at 100,000 plants ha-1 was most beneficial. It is recommended that small-scale farmers intercrop sweetpotato at 33,333 plants ha-1 with groundnut at 100,000 plants ha-1.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Author Affiliation: | Crop Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Swaziland Private Bag Luyengo, Luyengo M205, Swaziland |
| Subjects: | Plant Production > Croping Systems |
| Divisions: | Groundnut |
| Depositing User: | Mr T L Gautham |
| Date Deposited: | 31 Oct 2010 21:33 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Dec 2010 20:54 |
| Official URL: | http://www.insipub.com/jasr/2010/165-176.pdf |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/419 |
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