scholarly journals Evaluation of Five Improved Maize Varieties for Intercropping with Sweet Potato in Makurdi, Southern Guinea Savanna Ecology of Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
J Idoko ◽  
B Akaazua ◽  
J Oga
Keyword(s):  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Savanna Ecology ◽  
Guinea Savanna ◽  
Maize Varieties

EFFECT OF POPULATION DENSITY OF SWEET POTATO ON THE YIELD OF MAIZE-SWEET POTATO INTERCROP FOR WEEDS SUPPRESSION IN SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH NIGERIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-230
Author(s):  
Felix O Takim
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Planting Time ◽  
Guinea Savanna ◽  
Weed Infestation

ABSTRACT Maize–sweet potato intercropping often results in weed suppression and increased crop productivity. This study was designed to determine the appropriate planting time and optimal density of sweet potato in a maize-sweet potato intercropping system that will minimize weed infestation and improve yield of the component crops in a drought-prone southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. The experiment was laid as a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement and 3 replications in 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. The main plots were planting time (May, June and July) while the sub-plots consisted of 3 maize-sweet potato intercropping populations(maize at 53,333 plants/ha + 33,333 plants/ha of sweet potato, maize at 53,333 plants/ha + 66,666 plants/ha of sweet potato and maize at 53,333 plants/ha +99,999plants/ha of sweet potato), sole maize at 53,333 plants/ha and sole sweet potato at 33,333 plants/ha. The results revealed that, 7 weed species were the most prevalent and there was inconsistent effect of planting date on weed flushes while weed smothering efficiency of intercropping was between 31 to 49 % and 48 to 73% for weed density and weed biomass, respectively. Intercropping resulted in land equivalent ratios (LER) of 1.29 to 1.74 while the competitive ability of maize was increased with an increase in sweet potato density. Planting in the month of June had significantly higher tuber yield of 9.56 t/ha of sweet potato and maize grain yield of 3.28 t/ha while intercropping 33,333 plants/ha of sweet potato (1 vine of sweet potato planted at 0.40m apart on the ridge and 0.75m between ridges) and maize at 53,333 plants/ha (0.25m x 0.75m) gave an intercrop yield of 7.32 t/ha tubers and 3.46 t/ha grain yield with highest LER of 1.74, a net profit of ₦566,435.00 and benefit cost ratio of 1.44 was relatively similar to sole sweet potato. Therefore, the above intercropping pattern established in the month of June will minimize weed infestation and improve productivity of maize and sweet potato in the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria.

MAIZE YIELD DETERMINANTS IN FARMER-MANAGED TRIALS IN THE NIGERIAN NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA

1998 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. CARSKY ◽  
S. NOKOE ◽  
S. T. O. LAGOKE ◽  
S. K. KIM
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Stepwise Regression ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Local Varieties ◽  
Current Season ◽  
Damage Score ◽  
Northern Guinea Savanna ◽  
Guinea Savanna ◽  
Maize Varieties

Farmer-managed tests of Striga hermonthica-resistant maize varieties were conducted in 1994 in a moderately intensified zone in the northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. Field history, soil properties, current season fertility management, and crop management observations were recorded for 37 farmer-managed trials. Site averages for maize grain yield varied from 300 to 4000 kg grain ha−1. In spite of the tremendous variability observed, the grain yield was significantly higher for the striga-resistant hybrid 8321-18 compared with an improved open-pollinated variety, STR Syn-W, and the farmers' current variety. Correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis of grain yield on measured variables suggested that maize yield was a function of plant density for all three varieties. The rate of nitrogen fertilizer application was an important variable only for the hybrid, while the day of first weeding was most important for the improved varieties. The yield of the local varieties and STR Syn-W was related to the number of emerged striga at harvest in the stepwise regression, and the yield of the local varieties was highly correlated with the striga-damage score on maize. The striga-damage score was significantly lower on 8321-18 than on the other varieties, suggesting some degree of resistance in the hybrid. The number of emerged striga was lower for the hybrid but not significantly different. Farmers were almost unanimous in ranking the hybrid as least damaged by striga and highest yielding. Besides being related to maize variety, striga-damage score was lower if crop residue was observed on the field at the time of site confirmation. Highest yields (approximately 4 t ha−1) were recorded on fields near the homestead (compound fields) where soil organic carbon values were 2.0–2.5%. Realization of maize yield potential in the absence of manure or fertilizer will only be possible on long-term compound fields. Striga-resistant maize can maintain high yields under S. hermonthica infestation.

Combining Ability of Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] Genotypes for Beta Carotene and Dry Matter Content in Southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61
Author(s):  
M.S Afolabi ◽  
G.O Agbowuro ◽  
A.E Salami ◽  
M.O Akoroda
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Diallel Analysis ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Carotene Content ◽  
Guinea Savanna ◽  
Β Carotene

Roots of orange fleshed sweet potato varieties currently available in Nigeria contain high quantities of β-carotene or pro-vitamin A but have high moisture content. These varieties have been found to be a cheap and important remedy for vitamin A deficiency. The cream or white fleshed varieties on the other hand, have sweet taste with high dry matter content, giving a dry texture, a quality trait preferred in Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to examine the quantitative inheritance of important traits in sweet potato by means of a diallel analysis with a view to estimating the GCA and SCA components of genetic variance, and to determine the associated type of gene action controlling β-carotene content and root dry mass. A diallel crosses experiment using six parental sweet potato genotypes crossed in all possible combinations were carried out. Resultant thirty progenies were evaluated for beta carotene (β-carotene) and dry matter content in Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria during the cropping season of 2012 and 2013. The 30 F1 progenies along with their parental lines were planted in the same field trial. The trial was laid out in 6 x 6 triple lattice in two replications. Highly significant (P≤ 0.01) differences were observed among the genotypes for all the tested traits. The average β-carotene content for the progenies was 2.86 (mg/100 g f.w.) while the dry matter content was 31.89%. The cross combination 199024.2 x Excel recorded the highest beta carotene (14.37 mg/100 g f.w) and dry matter content (40.10%), this candidate is therefore suggested for further evaluation. Key words: Diallel analysis, Dry matter, Southern Guinea Savanna, Sweet potato, Vitamin A, β-carotene.

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