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

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

Use of GGE biplot for targeting early maturing maize cultivars to mega-environments in West Africa

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important staple food consumed by people with varying food preferences and socio-economic backgrounds in West Africa (WA). Genotype by environment interactions (G 7E) exist in WA implying the need for extensive testing of cultivars in multiple environments over years before cultivar realistic recommendations can be made. This study examined the effect of G 7E on the performance and stability of early cultivars and to identify core test locations in the mega-environments of WA. Across locations, 2004 TZE-W Pop STR C4 produced the highest grain yield and was the most stable cultivar. DMR-ESRW QPM produced the lowest yield. The test environments contributed about 83.4% of the total variation in grain yield, while genotypes accounted for 1.5% and G 7 E, 11%. Test environments were classified into four mega-environments, namely, Katibougou, Sotouboua, Ejura, and Bagou as the first group; the second group consisted of Manga, Nyankpala, Bagauda, Yendi, Angaredebou, Mokwa, Katibougou, and Zaria; while the third group comprise of Ativeme, and Ikenne; and the fourth, Ina. Test locations Ejura, Sotouboua and Bagou and Katibougou were highly correlated in their ranking of the genotypes in group 1, suggesting that a promising early maturing cultivar selected in one of these locations in one country will also be suitable for production in the other locations within the same mega-environments in different countries. Kita was identified as the ideal location, while Zaria was close to the ideal location.Le ma\uefs (Zea mays L.) est une nourriture principale consomm\ue9 par des personnes \ue0 pr\ue9f\ue9rence alimentaires et un pass\ue9 socio-\ue9conomique vari\ue9s en Afrique de l'Ouest. Une interaction G\ue9notype et Environnement (G 7E) \ue9tait trouv\ue9e, impliquant ainsi le besoin en test extensive des cultivars sur plusieurs ann\ue9es avant toute recommandation. Le but de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d'examiner l'effet G 7E sur la performance et la stabilit\ue9 des cultivars pr\ue9coces, ainsi que d'identifier le test principal de milieu dans les m\ue9ga-environnements de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. A travers les milieux, 2004 TZE-W Pop STR C4 avait produit le rendement en grain le plus \ue9lev\ue9 et \ue9tait le cultivar le plus stable. DMR-ESRW QPM avait induit le rendement le moins \ue9lev\ue9. La contribution du test d'environnements \ue9tait d'environ 83.4% de la variation totale du rendement en grain, pendant que les g\ue9notypes et G 7 E pr\ue9sentaient 1.5% et 11%, respectivement. Les tests d'environnements \ue9taient classifi\ue9s en quatre m\ue9ga-environnements \ue0 savoir, Katibougou, Sotouboua, Ejura, and Bagou comme premier groupe; Manga, Nyankpala, Bagauda, Yendi, Angaredebou, Mokwa, Katibougou, and Zaria comme deuxi\ue8me groupe, alors que le troisi\ue8me groupe comprenait Ativeme, et Ikenne et le quatri\ue8me, Ina. Le test de milieux Ejura, Sotouboua, Bagou et Katibougou \ue9taitent hautement corr\ue9l\ue9 sur le plan ranking des g\ue9notypes au sein du groupe 1, sugg\ue9rant qu'un cultivar pr\ue9coce promettant s\ue9lectionn\ue9 dans un de ces milieux dans un pays sera appropri\ue9 pour la production dans d'autres milieux au sein des m\ueames m\ue9ga-envoronnements dans diff\ue9rents pays. Kita \ue9tait identifi\ue9 comme un milieu ideal, alors que Zaria \ue9tait proche du milieu ideal

Performance of cowpea cultivars when grown as an intercrop with maize of contrasting maturities

Published online: 23 Sep 2013 s CowpeaA field trial was conducted during the rainy seasons of 2008 and 2009 at Samaru in northern Guinea savannah of Nigeria to determine the performance of semi-determinate and indeterminate cowpea cultivars intercropped with extra early, early and late maize cultivars. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) having treatments arranged as a split-plot factorial. Transmitted radiation was reduced by 49–63% due to shading by the maize plants. Similarly, intercropping cowpea with maize reduced intercepted radiation, fodder yield and grain yield of cowpea by 59–70%, 39–51% and 45–62%, respectively. Intercepted radiation and yields of intercropped cowpea were lower for late maize which maintained high leaf area over a longer period of time. This is supported by the higher plant height, higher leaf area index (LAI) and reduced transmitted radiation recorded in late maize compared with extra early and early maize. Extra early and early maize were less competitive with cowpea because of shorter period of association in addition to permitting higher radiation. Crop value of maize plus cowpea was higher than that of sole cowpea ($2616.8 vs.$1218.7 ha?1) because higher combined yield was achieved by a more efficient use of resources in the intercrop. Therefore, cowpea cultivar may be intercropped with extra early maize

In-vivo Effect of Oral Administration of Bifidobacterium adolescentis CH2 of Avian Origin on Male Albino Rats

Before administering to humans and agricultural animals, probiotics must satisfy  requirements for safety. Bifidobacterium adolescentis CH2 isolated from chicken was orally administered to male albino rats at a daily dose of about 3.6 x 106 cfu for 4 weeks to investigate the safety of its oral dose effects. Oral ingestion impact was assessed by body weight, blood biochemical components analysis, liver and kidney histopatological evaluations. Results from parameters investigated indicate no  adverse effect of ingestion of B. adolescentis CH2 strain when the dosed group is compared with the control group. No mortality, abnormal weight, organ injury or damage was observed in the control and B. adolescentis CH2 administered group. There was no abnormal decrease or increase in creatinine, aspartate transaminase, urea and blood glucose in any group. Histopatological examination of liver and kidney showed no abnormality or damage to organ in all groups. B. adolescentis CH2 strain isolated from chicken had no adverse effect on albino rats with respect to parameters here studied.Keywords: Bifidobacterium adolescentis, probiotic, in-vivo safety, yoghurt

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

Evaluation of maize-soybean intercropping systems and fertilizer rates on maize grain yield using competitive indices

Field trials were conducted in savanna ecologies of Nigeria during the 2015 and 2016 seasons using maize (PVA8) and soybean (TGX 1448-2E) intercropping systems with different fertilizer rates to evaluate the yield of maize and assess the best intercropping system for resource management. Single plant stands and two plants/stand and 2 arrangements of rows (one row on a ridge and two rows on a ridge) were used to impose maize plant densities evaluated in strip inter-crop with soybean. The trial was factorial, laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Thus, 8 maize-soybean strip cropping systems and application of 3 NPK rates were evaluated at Saki-Oyo, Ilorin, and Nasarawa (southern Guinea savanna), Kaduna in the northern Guinea savanna, Funtua (Katsina) and Gusau (Zamfara) located within Sudan savanna ecologies of Nigeria. Data on yields and yield components were collected. The intercropping systems were assessed using existing intercropping indices such as Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Relative Crowding Coefficient (K), Aggressivity (A), Competitive Ratio (CR), Actual Yield Loss (AYL), Intercropping Advantage (IA) and Monetary Advantage Index (MAI). The result showed that Nasarawa and Kaduna were most ideal locations for maize production in the Nigeria savannas. The highest grain yield of 4.04 tons/ha maize and 1.36 tons/ha soybean were obtained from seeding 1 plant/stand in 2-rows per ridge x 4 ridges of maize alternated with 2 rows of soybean with the application of NPK at 100:50:50. The LER was 1.11, AYL (1.10) and MAI (208) gave a profit of ₦312,102.00 (US$990.80) ha-1 with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.38 and production efficiency of 29.56%. The study concluded that, seeding 80% maize and 20% soybean per ha will lead to sustainable maize crop production with limited use of fertilizer. It can be adopted by the farmers in Nigeria savannas as a relatively profitable intercropping system. Keywords: Maize production, Ideal location, Fertilizer rate, Competitive indices, Savanna ecologies, Nigeri