Optimum plant populations for okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in a mixture with cassava (Manihot esculenta) and its relevance to rainy season-based cropping systems in south-western Nigeria

Abstract

Experiments were conducted in Nigeria to evaluate the optimum plant population density for okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) sown in monoculture or intercropped with cassava (Manihot esculenta). The crops were sown as late and early season crops in 1997 and 1998. Okra was sown at varied spacings to achieve final plant densities of 25 000, 35 000 and 50 000 plants\ha in both monoculture and mixed stands. Intercropping had no significant effect on okra phenology (time to vegetative growth, flowering and fruiting). However, it significantly reduced weed growth by 25-45 % and nematode infection in okra by 36 %, and kept the canopy environment of cassava cooler by 3n0-4n4 mC and more moist by 5-10 g\kg, compared with monoculture. The durations of vegetative and reproductive growth and the weed-control ability of okra in both cropping systems were influenced by population density. Okra sown at 50 000 plants\ha took the longest time to reach specific phenological stages, controlled weeds best and gave the highest fresh pod yields in both seasons. There was little increase in pod yields between 35 000 and 50 000 plants\ha in mixed stands in late season sown crops. The growth and tuber yield of cassava were not significantly affected by intercropping and okra population density.The growth of okra and cassava were better with early than late season sowing, irrespective of okra population density or cropping system. This appears to have been due mainly to the effect of temperature and rainfall differences between the seasons. The substantial variation in the weather during the two seasons also had greater effect in monoculture than mixed stands. It is concluded that when rainfall is limiting, okra could be intercropped with cassava using population density up to 35 000 plants\ha to allow the vegetable to develop and to maximize pod yield under the relatively dry conditions. The optimum target suggested is 50 000-60 000 plants\ha during the wet periods.

Impact of nitrogen and spacing on the growth and yield of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

“…The interaction effects of N 125 with S 10 , S 15 , S 20 and N 100 with S 20 were at par with N 100 S 15 for single pod weight. [38,24].…”

“…Since every node has a potential to produce flower which directly influence the yield per plot. [5,17,24]. …”

Influence of Intercrop Population and Applied Poultry Manure Rates on Component Crops Productivity Responses in a Snake Tomato/Celosia Cropping System

“…Moreover, intercropping offers the tropical farmers an early income from the annual vegetable intercrops before the main crop is harvested [22] [23]. [24] observed that annual vegetable crops such as celosia, okra and pepper occupy valuable ecological niche in tropical agriculture and play significant roles in the eco-physiology of mixed systems. Nonetheless, studies on mixed cropping have indicated that intercropping systems despite the reduced individual crop performances of component crops [25] not only produced more overall yield because of more efficient utilization of environmental resources compared to sole cropping [22] [26]- [30], but is also very advantageous in the maintenance of soil fertility through effective soil cover and amelioration of the environment [29]- [32].…”

“…The fresh young leaves, stems and young flower spikes are used to produce a nutritious and tasty soup: especially in West Africa. [24] had stated that vegetables such as leafy (celosia and amaranthus) or fruit types (okra and pepper) occupy a valuable ecological niche in tropical agriculture and play significant roles in the eco-physiology of mixed systems. Moreover, celosia competes better with weeds and tolerates dry soil better than other vegetable crops and also it responds well to nutrients or fertilizer (organic).…”

Cassava Cultivation Management for Sustainable Vegetable Production in Intercropping with Okra

“…Although differences in fresh pod yield for cassava Odongbo/okra intercrop were not significantly greater than for okra monoculture, these results indicate that intercropping with cassava did not markedly affect the phenology of okra irrespective of sowing date and cropping season. Earlier studies (Ikeorgu et al, 1989;Olasantan, 1999Olasantan, , 2001b have reported good performance of okra intercropped with cassava as a result of improved soil micro-environment, reductions (22-30%) in weed competition and in the number of root-gall okra plant Ϫ1 over monoculture. Hulugalle and Ezumah (1991) …”