Yield and yield components of intercropped dual-purpose lablab and cowpea with maize of contrasting maturities

Intercropping is a way to intensify agricultural land use. Cowpea is an important crop in the traditional farming systems in northern Nigeria because it serves to provide food and feed. Although lablab has potential to function in these ways, it remains an underutilized crop because among other factors, there is dearth of information on its incorporation into the system by way of intercropping it with the major cereal crops. A field trial was conducted at Samaru (11º 11’N, 07º 38’E, 686 m asl) in northern Guinea savannah of Nigeria, to evaluate the relative yield and yield components of dual-purpose lablab and cowpea cultivars when gown sole and when intercropped with maize of contrasting maturities. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four replications. The experiment consisted of early maize maturing cultivar (TZE COMP. 5 W) and a late maize maturing cultivar (TZL COMP. 1 SYN). Cropping system (intercropping and sole cropping) was assigned to the main plot and crop cultivar (lablab: ILRI 4612, NAPRI 2 and cowpea: IT89KD- 288, IT99K-241-2) was assigned to subplots. Results showed that intercropping cowpea or lablab into early maturing maize cultivar was more productive than intercropping into late maturing maize cultivar for number of pods (74.4 vs. 63.9), harvest index (0.22 vs. 0.20), grain yield (575.7 vs. 441.0) and fodder yield (2075.4 vs. 1758.2) for the legumes. Lablab cultivars had superior performance than cowpea for number of pods (113.5-114.2 vs. 81.1-81.5) and fodder yield (2968.9-3042.3 vs. 1725.4-1795.9 kg ha-1) whereas cowpea cultivars had superior performance than lablab for harvest index (0.29 vs. 0.17) and grain yield (802.3-833.9 vs. 587.8-632.4 kg ha-1), meaning that both legumes have potential in providing food and feed with lablab producing more fodder and cowpea more grain. Land equivalent ratio showed that intercropping advantage was higher when lablab and cowpea were intercropped with early maturing maize cultivar (1.34, 1.24) than with late maturing maize cultivar (1.10, 1.15). It is recommended that for higher lablab or cowpea/maize productivity in an intercrop, farmers should intercrop dual-purpose cultivars of these crops with maize of earlier maturities.Keywords: maize, lablab, cowpea, grain yield, fodder yiel

Response of cowpea to sowing date and maize plant population in a Sudan savannah environment

Maize cultivation has recently expanded to the West African Sudan savannah and has the potential to play a key role in the cropping systems of the region where intercrop yields have been low. Staggering planting date and manipulating plant population of component crops are potential ways to improve yields of intercrops. A field trial was conducted to investigate the performance of contrasting cowpea cultivars when sown at different dates under varying maize plant populations at Minijibir in the Sudan savannah of Nigeria in 2008 and 2009. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split-split-plot arrangement and replicated four times. Planting date (four and six weeks after sowing maize) formed the main plot; plant population (0, 17,777, 26,666 and 53,333 plants ha-1 ) was assigned to subplots and cowpea cultivars to sub-sub-plots. Results showed that the best grain yield potential for intercropped cowpea was achieved by sowing early in low to moderate maize plant populations. Early sowing was more conducive to achieving a higher number of branches, higher number of peduncles, higher number of pods, and higher fodder and grain yields. Cowpea performance reduced progressively with increase in maize plant population because of increased shading from maize plants. Growing cowpea under high maize population was more favourable for indeterminate cowpea cultivar whereas, growing under zero to moderate maize populations favoured semi-determinate cowpea cultivar most in grain production. Thus, when planning to grow cowpea with maize at full maize crop, farmers may need to seed indeterminate cowpea cultivar early under maize. At reduced maize plant populations, growing maize with semi-determinate cowpea cultivar will do. However, choice of maize plant population to use may depend on the income, food nutrition and feed needs of the farmer

Performance of cowpea grown as an intercrop with maize of different populations

Cereal-cowpea intercrops have a record of low yields in the West African savannah. Two potential ways to improve the yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp), when grown with maize (Zea mays L.), is by manipulating the plant population of maize and using adapted cowpea cultivars. A field trial was conducted at Samaru in northern Guinea savannah of Nigeria, to determine the performance of semi-determinate and indeterminate cowpeas grown under maize populations of 0, 17,777, 26,666, and 53,333 plants ha-1. The radiation transmitted into cowpea was reduced by 50, 30 and 15% for a maize population of 53,333, 26,666 and 17,777 plants ha-1 respectively, compared with 0 plants ha-1. Maize population of 0 to 26,666 plants ha-1 favoured better cowpea performance compared with 53,333 plants ha-1 because at these lower plant populations, maize plants had lower leaf area indices which allowed maize canopy to transmit more light into the understorey cowpea. The negative effects of shade were more pronounced in the semi-determinate cowpea than in the indeterminate. Therefore, in high maize populations, indeterminate spreading cowpeas should be grown; while semi-determinate cowpeas should be planted in low to moderate maize populations because of their intolerance to severe shade. RÉSUMÉ La culture des céréales en association avec le niébé a souvent été associée à un faible rendement dans les savanes Ouest-Africaines. Il existe deux façons probables d’améliorer le rendement du niébé (Vigna unguiculata Walp) cultivé en association avec le maïs (Zea mays L.) ; la manipulation de la densité populationnelle du maïs et l’utilisation des variétés de niébé adaptées. Un essai en plein champ a été réalisé à Samaru dans la partie nord de la savane de Guinée au Nigeria, afin de déterminer la performance de niébés semi-déterminé et indéterminé cultivés en association avec différentes densités de maïs (0, 17,777, 26,666, and 53,333 plants ha-1). Comparé à un champ semé seulement au niébé, la radiation solaire transmise au niébé était réduite de 50, 30 et 15% respectivement pour des densités de maïs de 53,333, 26,666 and 17,777 plants ha-1. Une densité de maïs allant de 0 à 26,666 plants ha-1 favorisait mieux la performance du niébé qu’une densité de 53,333 plants de maïs par ha. Ceci parce qu’à cette faible densité, les plants de maïs avaient une faible surface foliaire et pouvaient ainsi transmettre un rayonnement solaire suffisant au niébé. L’effet négatif de l’ombre causé par la couverture foliaire du maïs était plus prononcé sur le niébé semi-déterminé que sur le niébé indéterminé. Il apparait alors, que le niébé indéterminé devrait être cultivé en association avec une forte densité de maïs, tandis que le niébé semi-déterminé devrait être cultivé en association avec une densité de maïs faible ou modéré

Morpho-phenological variation in Lablab purpureus

The morphological and phenological variations in 46 accessions of Lablab purpureus were evaluated in 2000 and 2001 in Samaru, Zaria in the moist savanna zone of Nigeria. Accessions were classified into various groups according to plant structure, flowering time and pod and seed characters. Based on flowering time, 6 maturity groups were identified: very early ( 40-50 days after planting) (7 accessions), early (51-60 days (20), intermediate (61-80 days (4), late (91-110 days) (6), very late (111-130 days) (8) and extremely late (131-150 days) (1). In 140 days, nitrogen production increased from 15 kg/ha for the very early-flowering accessions and then decreased to 135 kg/ha for the extremely late-flowering accession with a mean nitrogen yield of 64.1 kg/ha. Fifteen accessions were identified as having potential for fresh pod production and 11 accessions for grain with a smaller number suitable for both grain and fodder productio

PERFORMANCE OF COWPEA GROWN AS AN INTERCROP WITH MAIZE OF DIFFERENT POPULATIONS

Cereal-cowpea intercrops have a record of low yields in the West African savannah. Two potential ways to improve the yield of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata Walp), when grown with maize ( Zea mays L.), is by manipulating the plant population of maize and using adapted cowpea cultivars. A field trial was conducted at Samaru in northern Guinea savannah of Nigeria, to determine the performance of semi-determinate and indeterminate cowpeas grown under maize populations of 0, 17,777, 26,666, and 53,333 plants ha-1. The radiation transmitted into cowpea was reduced by 50, 30 and 15% for a maize population of 53,333, 26,666 and 17,777 plants ha-1 respectively, compared with 0 plants ha-1. Maize population of 0 to 26,666 plants ha-1 favoured better cowpea performance compared with 53,333 plants ha-1 because at these lower plant populations, maize plants had lower leaf area indices which allowed maize canopy to transmit more light into the understorey cowpea. The negative effects of shade were more pronounced in the semi-determinate cowpea than in the indeterminate. Therefore, in high maize populations, indeterminate spreading cowpeas should be grown; while semi-determinate cowpeas should be planted in low to moderate maize populations because of their intolerance to severe shade.La culture des c\ue9r\ue9ales en association avec le ni\ue9b\ue9 a souvent \ue9t\ue9 associ\ue9e \ue0 un faible rendement dans les savanes Ouest-Africaines. Il existe deux fa\ue7ons probables d\u2019am\ue9liorer le rendement du ni\ue9b\ue9 ( Vigna unguiculata Walp) cultiv\ue9 en association avec le ma\uefs ( Zea mays L.) ; la manipulation de la densit\ue9 populationnelle du ma\uefs et l\u2019utilisation des vari\ue9t\ue9s de ni\ue9b\ue9 adapt\ue9es. Un essai en plein champ a \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9alis\ue9 \ue0 Samaru dans la partie nord de la savane de Guin\ue9e au Nigeria, afin de d\ue9terminer la performance de ni\ue9b\ue9s semi-d\ue9termin\ue9 et ind\ue9termin\ue9 cultiv\ue9s en association avec diff\ue9rentes densit\ue9s de ma\uefs (0, 17,777, 26,666, and 53,333 plants ha-1). Compar\ue9 \ue0 un champ sem\ue9 seulement au ni\ue9b\ue9, la radiation solaire transmise au ni\ue9b\ue9 \ue9tait r\ue9duite de 50, 30 et 15% respectivement pour des densit\ue9s de ma\uefs de 53,333, 26,666 and 17,777 plants ha-1. Une densit\ue9 de ma\uefs allant de 0 \ue0 26,666 plants ha-1 favorisait mieux la performance du ni\ue9b\ue9 qu\u2019une densit\ue9 de 53,333 plants de ma\uefs par ha. Ceci parce qu\u2019\ue0 cette faible densit\ue9, les plants de ma\uefs avaient une faible surface foliaire et pouvaient ainsi transmettre un rayonnement solaire suffisant au ni\ue9b\ue9. L\u2019effet n\ue9gatif de l\u2019ombre caus\ue9 par la couverture foliaire du ma\uefs \ue9tait plus prononc\ue9 sur le ni\ue9b\ue9 semi-d\ue9termin\ue9 que sur le ni\ue9b\ue9 ind\ue9termin\ue9. Il apparait alors, que le ni\ue9b\ue9 ind\ue9termin\ue9 devrait \ueatre cultiv\ue9 en association avec une forte densit\ue9 de ma\uefs, tandis que le ni\ue9b\ue9 semi-d\ue9termin\ue9 devrait \ueatre cultiv\ue9 en association avec une densit\ue9 de ma\uefs faible ou mod\ue9r\ue9

Agronomic responses of diverse cowpea cultivars to planting date and cropping system

Cowpea-maize intercropping causes low yields of cowpea due to shading effect by maize plants. Staggering of dates of planting of cowpea in an intercrop is a potential way of reducing intercrop shading while increasing cowpea yield. Nonetheless, contrasting cowpea cultivars may have differential response to planting dates. A field trial was conducted in 2008 and 2009 growing seasons at Samaru in Nigerian Guinea savannah to determine the performance of diverse cowpea cultivars intercropped with maize 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting maize. The trial was laid out in a split-split-plot design. Grain yield and crop value were stable (1,110.5-1,163.5 kg ha-1, $2,379.3-2,566.8 ha-1, respectively) among planting dates. Sole cowpea was more productive than intercropped cowpea for number of branches (11 vs. 5 m-2), peduncles (41 vs. 24 m-2), pods (69 vs. 48 m-2) and seed (569 vs. 406 m-2), fodder yield (2685 vs. 1889 kg ha-1) and grain yield (1479 vs. 797 kg ha-1). Number of pods and seeds, seed weight and fodder yield were positive key traits of cowpea grain yield. Rankings of cowpea cultivars in terms of grain yield did not change with cropping system suggesting that cowpea cultivars that have superior yield in sole crops can be recommended for intercropping with maize. Grain yield of intercropped cowpea and crop value of maize plus cowpea and that of intercropped cowpea were highest for late maturing and indeterminate cowpea. Therefore, late and indeterminate cowpea cultivars should be preferred for intercropping with maize

Potential of Lablab purpureus accessions for crop-livestock production in the West African savanna

The introduction and use of herbaceous legumes may contribute to agricultural intensification, especially in the context of sustainable crop and livestock production systems. In the context of evaluating different legume species for these systems in moist savanna zone of West Africa, the present study involved the evaluation of 46 accessions of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet between 2000 and 2002 at Samaru, Zaria in the northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria to identify accessions with the potential to contribute to grain or forage production and those with the potential for multiple use. Grain yields (0.6-2.4 t/ha) with a mean seed crude protein and phosphorus content of 25.3 and 0.46 g/kg, respectively, were obtained. Dry matter yields (leaf : 0.3-3.1, stem: 0.2-4.6, root: 0.03-0.3 t/ha) were produced between 40 and 140 days after planting. Within this same period up to 1152 kg shoot crude protein/ha, equivalent to 184 kg N/ha, were recorded for accessions. Ten accessions that may contribute to grain production, eight accessions that may contribute to forage production and six accessions with drought tolerance were identified. Some white-seeded accessions (Grif 1246, ILRI 4612 and PI 183451) with good grain and forage yield and high-protein content have the potential to provide more and higher quality food for people and feed for livestock. The observed potential to contribute to grain production for protein-rich food, feed for livestock and green manure for soil N improvement suggests lablab may be an acceptable legume option for use in cereal-legume livestock systems in the moist savanna zone of West Africa

Modeling planting-date effects on intermediate-maturing maize in contrasting environments in the Nigerian savanna: an application of DSSAT model

Open Access Journal; Published online: 18 Jun 2020The Crop Environment Resource Synthesis (CERES)-Maize model in Decision Support System for Agricultural Technology Transfer (DSSAT) was calibrated and evaluated with experimental data for simulation of response of two intermediate-maturing maize varieties to different sowing dates in the Nigerian savannas. The calibration experiments involved 14 consecutive field trials conducted in the rainy and dry seasons in Bayero University Kano (BUK), Dambatta, and Zaria between 2014–2019. Two sets of field experiments were conducted simultaneously for model evaluation in Iburu in the southern Guinea savanna zone and Zaria in the northern Guinea savanna zone during 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons. The experiments for calibration had two maize (SAMMAZ-15 and SAMMAZ-16) varieties planted under optimum conditions with no water and nutrients stresses. The trials for model evaluation were conducted using the same varieties under four different nitrogen (N) rates (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha−1). A 30-year (1985–2014) term simulation was performed to determine effect of varying sowing dates on yields of two maize varieties (SAMMAZ-15 and SAMMAZ-16) in the Sudan savanna (SS), northern Guinea savanna (NGS), and southern Guinea savanna (SGS) zones. The calibration results showed that the cultivar coefficients of the two maize varieties resulted in simulated growth and development parameters that were in good agreement with observed parameters. Model evaluation showed a good agreement between simulated and observed data for phenology and growth of maize. This demonstrated the potential of the CERES-Maize model to simulate growth and yield of maize in the Nigeria savannas. Results of 30-year sensitivity analysis with 9 different sowing windows showed that in SS, sowing the intermediate maize varieties from early to mid-June produced the highest grain yields. In NGS, the optimum sowing windows were found between late June and late July for the both varieties. In SGS, the optimum sowing window is from early June to late July for SAMMAZ-15 and mid-June to late July for SAMMAZ-16. These planting windows gave the highest long-term average yields for each variety. The variety SAMMAZ-15 was found to be best performing across the three agro-ecologies. Maize performance was generally higher in NGS than in SGS. SS in the Sudan savanna recorded the lowest yield compared with other locations

An appraisal study of donkey in three Northern states of Nigeria

This qualitative study on donkey was conducted in Bauchi, Kano and Kebbi States of Nigeria. The objective of the study was to understand the role, significance and potential areas needing intervention in donkey rearing in the rural setting. The study was also used to obtain first-hand baseline information on the state of knowledge on the donkey in the states surveyed. Sixty two locations were visited comprising 36 from Kebbi, 19 from Bauchi and 17 from Kano States respectively. Rapid Rural Participatory Appraisal (RRPA) technique with check list of questions and farmers' participation was employed in villages/towns randomly selected to cover all the ecological zones in each of the three States. A meeting of one to two hours was organized with the farmers and donkey owners. Observations were made on donkeys at home and in the field. Problems mentioned by respondents included: Colics (Anomari),ulcerative lymphangitis, inflammation of the tongue, interdigital dermatitis, ear sore, fistulous withers, unknown causes of lameness and nervous system disorder called locally as “chinkai chinkai”. There were generally poor or no veterinary facilities and services in most of the villages and towns. It was not the farmers practice to take donkeys to clinic for treatment. Mortality was high during the late dry season in most places but also occurred in the rainy season in some places. Areas for further investigations were also highlighted. Keywords: Nigeria, Appraisal, Northern States, diseases, donke