| dc.description.abstract | Intercropping is a common cropping system in the humid tropics, and involves growing two or
more crops simultaneously on the same farm. The aims of the study were to assess the effects of
intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) and sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] on agronomic
characteristics and soil chemical properties in Swaziland. Five plant population treatments [T|,
maize alone at 40,000 plants/ha; Ti, sweetpotato alone at 33,333 plants/ha; Tj, maize at 40,000
plants/ha, intercropped with sweetpotato at 33,333 plants/ha; T4, maize at 40,000 plants/ha,
intercropped with sweetpotato at 16,666 plants/ha; and T5, sweetpotato alone at 16,666 plants/ha
were arranged in a randomized complete block design that was replicated four times. Data were
analyzed using the MSTAT-C statistical package. Results showed no significant differences in
leaf area, and number of leaves/plant in both maize and sweetpotato. Sole maize yielded
significantly (p < 0.05) higher (mean cob yield, 4,287.5 kg/ha) than intercropped maize (mean,
1,780.2 kg/ha). Sweetpotato tuber diameter was significantly greater (14.3 cm) under
monocropping al 16,667 plants/ha at 16 weeks after planting (WAP), than intercropped
sweetpotato (mean, 5.9 cm). Soil pH was significantly improved from 5.3 to 6.3 under maize
sweetpotato, when 50% of the recommended sweetpotato population was used. It is
recommended that sweetpotato farmers sow sweetpotato as a monocrop, but should they wish to
intercrop with maize, they should plant maize at 40,000 plants/ha and mix-crop it with
sweetpotato at 33,333 plants/ha. | en_US |
