Intercropping millet and Bambara groundnut on tied ridges in the Sudan savannah of Burkina Faso

Abstract

The effect of tied ridges on intercropped millet (Pennisetum americanum Leek) and bambara groundnut [Voandzeia subterranea (L.) Thouars] was studied on an Alfisol in the Sudan savannah of Burkina Faso during 1986 and1987. The experimental treatments were planting on the flat and on ridges with earthern bunds constructed at right angles to the ridges at intervals of 1 m (tied ridges), each of which was planted to monocropped millet, monocropped bambara groundnut and intercropped millet, and bambara groundnut. Observations were made of soil water content to a depth of 0.75 m, light interception, root growth to a depth of 1.0 m and relative leaf water content at 1300 h throughout the growing season. Soil water content was greater with tied ridging. Tied ridging had no significant effect on either root growth or light interception. Root growth and light interception were similar in monocropped millet and intercropped millet and bambara groundnut plots but significantly lower in monocropped bambara groundnut plots. In intercropped plots, millet outcompeted bambara groundnut for light. Relative leaf water content (RLWC) of millet was unaffected by either tied ridging or intercropping. Intercropping did, however, reduce RLWC of bambara groundnut, especially in flat planted plots. Dry matter (DM) and grain yield of millet were significantly increased by tied ridging in 1986 but not in 1987. Millet dry matter and grain yield were related primarily to profile water content during post-anthesis and anthesis, respectively. DM yield of bambara groundnut was significantly increased by tied ridging, whereas both DM and grain yield were significantly reduced by intercropping. DM and grain yield of bambara groundnut were related primarily to profile water content during 70-90 days after planting (DAP) and light interception during 45-85 DAP. Land equivalent ratios (LER) of DM and grain yields were 1.0 with tied ridging and >1.0 with flat planting. Significant yield increases are likely, therefore, only if millet and bambara groundnut are monocropped on lied ridges.

Participatory evaluation of groundnut planting methods for pre-harvest aflatoxin management in Eastern Province of Zambia

“…It is likely that the high pod yield obtained in tied ridges may have resulted from better soil moisture retention and soil aeration effects, which promoted good groundnut plant vigour and vegetative growth unlike in the other three treatments. These observations are in agreement with those of Hulugalle (1988) who reported higher dry matter yield of Bambara groundnuts when planted on tied ridges compared to planting in flatbeds.…”