Evaluation of the effects of intra-row spacing on the growth and yield of maize (zea mays l.) in maize-ginger intercrop in Samara, Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during the cropping seasons of 2009 and 2010 in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of various intra-row spaces on the growth and yield of maize intercropped into ginger. The experiment consisted of six treatments laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated three times. The data collected were subjected to statistical Analysis of Variance and the treatment means were separated using the New Duncan Multiple Range Test at P< 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that the intercropped maize irrespective of spacing adopted, were consistently superior to the sole maize crop in dry matter production per plant, height per plant, number of leaves per plant and leave area per plant. The best grain yield of 3.78 tonnes/ha was obtained in maize spaced at 75 x 75 cm. The sole ginger crop gave rhizome yield (14.08 tonnes per hectare) was statistically higher than yields obtained in intercropped treatments. The intercropped treatments had yield advantages over the sole crop with maize Land Equivalent Ratio of 23-79%. Therefore, maize at 75 x 75cm in ginger at 20 x 20cm was recommended as the best intercrop.