Effects of cowpea leaf harvesting initiation time on yields and profitability of dual-purpose sole cowpea and cowpea-maize intercrop
Abstract
144 words
Dual-purpose cowpea production is a common component of
many tropical and sub tropical subsistence farming systems.
However, limited information exists on effects of leaf harvesting
initiation time on yields and profitability of dual-purpose cowpea
based cropping systems. This study investigated the effects of
initiating cowpea leaf harvesting at different times on
performance of sole dual-purpose cowpea and dual-purpose
cowpea-maize intercrop. Initiating leaf harvesting at 3 and 4
weeks after cowpea emergence (WAE) resulted in highest leaf
and grain yields, respectively among leaf harvested cowpea.
Overall, cowpea grain yields were highest in control treatment.
Yields were lower in intercrop than in monocrop treatments.
Maize yields in intercrop treatments were improved following
harvesting of leaves of the companion cowpea. Initiating leaf
harvesting at 3 and 4 WAE yielded highest returns in cowpeamaize
intercrop and sole cowpea, respectively. Intercropping
was on overall more profitable than sole cropping.
Subjects
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