Selecting cowpea varieties for intercropping with maize under marginal dryland conditions
1995
Dube, R. (Crop Breeding Institute, Harare (Zimbabwe)
In Zimbabwe cowpea [(Vigna unguiculata (L.)] is usually grown in mixtures with maize [Zea Mays L.] inspite of its adverse effects on the yield of maize, the major component crop. The decrease in grain yield of maize can be reduced by selecting appropriate cowpea varieties. Hence the objective of this study was to identify cowpea intercropping systems in Zimbabwe. Nine cowpea cultivars comprising early maturing, medium-maturing and late-maturing lines were intercropped with maize variety R201 at three locations (Mlezu, Makoholi and Matopos) in 1992/93. Maize was planted at the recommended population of 37 037 plants/ha. Cowpea was planted after every two rows of maize to give a plant population of 37 000 plants/ha. Grain yields of both maize and cowpea were determined at harvest. The results suggested that it is possible to select cowpea varieties for intercropping with maize without reducing yield of maize.
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