Economic returns from yam/maize intercrops with various stake densities in a high-rainfall area
1992
Ndegwe, N.A. (Rivers State University of Science and Technology. Port Harcourt (Nigeria). Institute of Agricultural Research and Training)
The profitability of producing yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) with 0-5,000 stakes/ha when intercropped with maize in a high-rainfall area in Nigeria was examined. Yam and maize populations used were 10,000 and 20,000 plants/ha respectively. Tuber yield and weight/tuber decreased with lesser number of stakes/ha. No changes occurred in maize grain and stover yields or in height and girth/plant. Production cost was highest with 5,000 stakes/ha and lowest in unstaked yams. Cost of staking decreased with fewer stakes being 27, 17 and 13 % of total production costs with 5,000, 2,500 and 1,666 stakes/ha respectively. Trailing six stands/stake, gave the best net return (48 %) in sole yam but two stands/stake gave the best in intercropped yam, making the best net cash return in sole-cropped yam twice as profitable as a yam/maize mixture. The results are discussed in relation to their practical uses
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