Cassava/Maize Intercrop Performance and Soil Nutrient Changes with Fertilizers

Abstract

Field trials were conducted in the forest vegetation (Ibadan) and the derived savannah (Ilora) zones of south west Nigeria to assess the yield performance of cassava/maize intercrop and soil nutrient changes with sole and some combined ratios of organic-based fertilizer (OBF) and inorganic fertilizer. Sole OBF was assessed at 2.5; 5.0 and 10.0 t ha -1 while 400 kg ha -1 NPK 15-15-15 served as the sole inorganic fertilizer treatment. The combined treatments were: 2.5 t ha -1 OBF + 100 kg ha -1 NPK 15-15-15 and 5 t ha -1 OBF + 100 kg ha -1 NPK 15-15-15. An unfertilized treatment served as the control treatment. Maize grain yield was highest with application of 5 t ha -1 OBF + 100 kg ha -1 NPK. It gave a mean yield of 2.45 t ha -1 at Ibadan and 2.49 t ha -1 at Ilora. Cassava root yield was however highest with 10 t ha -1 OBF. It gave a mean yield of 14.55 t ha -1 at Ibadan and 12.52 t ha -1 at Ilora. Soil N, P, K and Organic C was most increased with 10 t ha -1 OBF and 5 t ha -1 OBF+NPK. Crop yields and soil nutrient status decreased with no fertilizer application. Cassava –maize intercrop gives optimum yields and highest soil N, P, K increase with 10 t ha -1 OBF.