Intercropping with Sorghum in Nigeria

Abstract

SUMMARY At Samaru (11° 10′N, 7° 39′E) the growing season for rain-fed annual crops is 180 to 200days. Sole cropping, relay cropping and intercropping of long season sorghum, early millet or maize and late planted cowpeas were evaluated for most effective use of this period, all crops being cultivated mechanically. Relay cropping and intercropping gave 59 and 80 per cent more return per acre respectively than a sole crop of sorghum, the increases coming mainly from higher cereal yields. Some criteria applicable to intercropping are recognized.