Productivity and photosynthetic indices on intercropping schemes using corn and cowpea planted in three tillage systems

The study was conducted during dry season with the aim of determining the yield potential of corn and cowpea under intercropping schemes planted in three different tillage systems. Specifically, it aimed to: a) determine the effects of tillage system on the growth and yield of corn and cowpea, b) evaluate the effects of intercropping schemes on yield components of cowpea; c) effect between tillage system and intercropping schemes on the growth and yield of corn and cowpea; d) assess the photosynthetic efficiency on tillage system, intercropping schemes and interaction of both factors on the protein and carbohydrates contents of both crops; and, e)identify which tillage system and intercropping schemes would be most profitable. Results revealed that the height of cowpea and corn, the number of cowpea pods per plant, the weight of dry cowpea and corn straw yield per plant, the weight of 1000 dry cowpea seeds, the weight of dry cowpea and corn grain yields per plant and the percent harvest index of the test crops were significantly affected by intercropping schemes. Significant interaction effects existed between tillage and intercropping schemes in terms of percent harvest index of corn. Intercropping increased land productivity where in the combination of corn and cowpea produced an LER greater than one. The highest net return was obtained from one row corn plus two rows cowpea with a new income of 46,322 and an ROI of 2.14 (corn) under zero tillage. In cowpea production, the highest net income of 35,150 was produced by monoculture cowpea under conventional tillage, but in terms of monetary returns per peso invested the zero tillage (sole cowpea) was higher in ROI of 1.49. No significant effects were observed on the protein and carbohydrates contents of the corn and cowpea grains as influenced by intercropping and tillage system.