Amujoyegbe B.J. and Elemo K.A.
Field experiments on the growth performance of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walps) in intercrop as influenced by time of introducing cowpea and nitrogen fertilizer applied to maize was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farms of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile- Ife (latitude 7028¹N and longitude 4033¹E), located in rain forest agro-ecological zone and University of Agriculture (UNAAB), Abeokuta (latitude 709¹N and longitude 3021¹E) derived savanna zones of south western Nigeria. The study was aimed at investigating the effects of time of introducing cowpea and different levels of inorganic nitrogen applied to maize on the growth of maize and cowpea in intercrop. Five dates of introducing cowpea into maize in intercrop (0, 14, 28, 42 and 56 days after sowing maize (DASM), serving as main plot, were evaluated for intercropping cowpea alongside four levels of nitrogen (0, 45, 90 and 135 kg N/ha), as subplot, in a split-plot design with three replications. Maize (cv. DMRE-SRY) and cowpea (cv. Oloyin) were planted on flat in alternate double rows using replacement series technique. Plant height, dry matter accumulation and relative growth rate were determined for maize and cowpea at vegetative, flowering and physiological maturity. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and where the F-test was significant, the treatment means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at p ≤ 0.05. Time of introducing cowpea had no effect on growth attributes of maize at the two locations. However, delay in introducing cowpea beyond 14 DASM caused significant decrease in growth parameters of cowpea. Site locations, time of introduction of cowpea affected growth of cowpea, while N fertilizer applied at 90 and 135 kg N/ha on maize resulted led to increased growth of maize.
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