The growth and yield performances of Groundnut in Sole cropping and intercropped with Okra and Maize in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria.

Abstract

The growth and yield performances of groundnut in Sole cropping and intercropped with Okra and maize was investigated in field trial at the Thinker's Corner Emene-Nike, Enugu State. The experiment was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates which consisted of Groundnut sole cropping (SG). Groundnut intercropped with Okra (GO), Groundnut intercropped with maize (GM), Groundnut, Maize, Okra intercropped (GMO). Growth and yield parameters such as height, branches, leaflets, flowering and weight of pods (Fruits) were assessed. The result obtained indicated that there were no significant differences (P=0.05) among the treatments in height, branches and leaflets. The Fruits weight and days to 50% flowering showed significant differences among the treatments. Groundnut on Sole cropping yield better with a Value 28.75gm and performed competitively better than the one intercropped with either Okra or maize as well as the one intercropped with maize and Okra in the parameters measured. Groundnut intercropped with Okra however, performed relatively better than the Groundnut/Maize intercrop and Groundnut/Maize/Okra intercrop. While Groundnut intercropped with Maize and Okra performed poorly in all the parameters assessed in this study.