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Browsing Articles by Author "Ahom, R."
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Item Open Access Productivity of Maize-Velvet Bean Intercrop Grown in Striga hermonthica Infested Soils as Determined by Competitive Indices(Department of Agronomy, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2017-11-11) Ahom, R.; Ibrahim, Abdullahi Jaji; Magani, E.I.A multi-location field experiments were conducted during the cropping seasons of 2014 in Yelwata and Lafia, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of fertilizer application on the yield of maize intercropped with velvet bean. The productivity of the cropping systems under fertilizer application were evaluated using different competition indices. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with treatments arranged in a split-split plot. The data collected were subjected to statistical Analysis of Variance and the treatment means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significance Difference at p< 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that maize grain yields in the intercropped irrespective o f fertilizer application, were superior to that in sole maize plots. The highest grain yields (3,603 and 2,873 kg/ha) were obtained in maize DT STR-Y SYN 2 /velvet bean intercrops in the fertilizer applied treatment than sole cropping at both Yelwata and Lafia, respectively. The intercropped treatments had Land Equivalent Ratio advantage ranging from 80-160% over the sole cropping. The incorporation of fertilizer to the Striga tolerant and drought resistant maize; DT STR-Y SYN 2/ velvet bean intercrop plots gave higher competitive index values, SPI (5065.24) and MAI (N 238,217.80) at Yelwata compared to other treatment combinations and the sole crops. Therefore intercropping maize variety DT STR-Y SYN 2 /velvet bean with minimal application of fertilizer will give higher benefit on return, maximum land use efficiency and sustainable crop production.Item Open Access Spatial distribution and density of Striga hermonthica (Del.) benth infestation associated with cereal production in southern guinea savanna farming systems(Department of Agronomy, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2014-10-10) Ibrahim, Abdullahi Jaji; Ahom, R.; Magani, E.I.; Musa, M.I.This study describes the distribution patterns of S. hermonthica infestation present in 117 farmers’ fields located in 61 villages in the three major cereal growing areas of Benue and Nasarawa states. A total of 1098 respondents were randomly selected proportionate to the number of households in all the zones. Striga count was taken using a quadrat and farmers’ fields were visually assessed using a five-category ranking (very high density,high density, medium, low, very low density) and recording the geo referenced data. On average, 67.3 and 3.2% of the surveyed area were infested with high and low density of Striga, respectively. The mean number of Striga plants per m2 was greater at Nassarawa State (one to eighteen plants m-2) than Benue State (one to twelve plants m -2). In Benue, the largest percentage of Striga infestation was recorded in Buruku (49.7%) and the lowest was obtained in Guma (38.3%). In Nassarawa, under sorghum cultivation, higher Strigadensties were recorded in Karu and Awe LGA; while Doma, Keana and Obi LGA recorded moderate Striga infestation. In both locations, Striga infestation was highest in sorghum fields; while millet fields recorded the least. About 40% and 35.4% of the farmers reported that new modern farming methods and Striga control copping strategies, respectively are received from Extension agents , during Monthly Technology Review Meeting (MTRM). The study has provided baseline information on the spread of S. hermonthica in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria and therefore, copping strategies for its control should be intensified.