Productivity of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Monech] and Bambara Groundnut [Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc] Intercrop as Influenced by Component Plant Density in a Coarse Textured Tropical Soil

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani in 2017 and 2018 planting season respectively, to determine the productivity of Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Monech.] and Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc] intercrop as influenced by component plant density in a coarse textured tropical soil. The treatments used in the field trials were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The obtained results indicated that sole okra grown at a density of 50, 000 plants hectare-1 produced the highest vegetative traits than in the okra/Bambara groundnut intercrop at 144, 444 plants hectare-1, 151,111 plants hectare-1 and 161,111 plants hectare-1 sowing component density in 2017 and 2018 respectively. The land equivalent ratio was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in okra/Bambara groundnut mixture than in the sole okra and sole Bambara groundnut components respectively at different sowing densities. This study shows that intercropping favored the yield of okra/Bambara groundnut mixtures at different component densities (144,444 plants hectare-1, 151,111 plants hectare-1 and 161,111 plants hectare-1) in terms of land equivalent ratio, which was highest (1.57 in 2017 and 1.79 in 2018) in 144,444 plants hectare-1 component density of okra/Bambara groundnut mixture. Intercropping okra with Bambara groundnut at a component density of 144,444 plants hectare-1 (50 cm x 60 cm) could be recommended in a coarse textured tropical soil Agbani area.