Growth and Yield of Sorghum as Influenced by Population Density and Time of Introduction of Component Okra

Abstract

A field trial was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Kwara State University, Malete and National Center for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) during 2021 cropping season to investigate the productivity and intercropping advantage as influenced by population density and time of introduction in sorghum/okra intercropping. Four Population densities of okra (100 %, 75 %, 50 %, and 25 %) were intercropped with full population of sorghum at same time (ST), two weeks before planting (2WBP) and two weeks after planting (2WAP). Sole sorghum and okra were included in the treatments as a check. The treatments were arranged as 3x6 factorial combinations in a randomized complete block in split plot and replicated three times. Regardless of population ratios, the yield of sorghum increased as the population density of component okra decreased and with delayed in the time of introduction. The lowest grain yield at the two locations were obtained where full population ratio of both crops were intercropped. Intercropping 25 % population of okra with full population of sorghum recorded the lowest fruit yield. Intercropping advantage as measured by land equivalent ratio (LER), land equivalent coefficient (LEC), and monetary advantage index (MAI) indices demonstrated intercropping advantage at all population ratios and time of introduction. The highest value N398, 200.08 was recorded at NCAM location at the population ratio 100S:100 OK and when sorghum was planted two weeks before okra. Planting sorghum two weeks before okra at full population of both crops is recommended for adoption in sorghum/okra intercropping