Productivity of Maize-Velvet Bean Intercrop Grown in Striga hermonthica Infested Soils as Determined by Competitive Indices

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.