Essay On Intercropping

The effect of population density of sweet potato and cropping system on the yield of sweet potato intercropped with soybean was studied; the objectives were to determine the effect of population density on the growth, yield and yield components and to investigate possible differences in the response of the two crops to various population densities and cropping system. Field experiments were conducted at the University of Agriculture teaching and research farm during 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons in a split plot laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Three population levels (50,000plants/ha; 33,333plants/ha and 25,000plants/ha) and two cropping systems (sole and intercropping) were used. Result showed that in sweet potato, number of

Advantages of intercropping include increased crop diversity which helps to protect crops from insect pests and diseases and if well done, may allow for more efficient use of limited soil and water resources and crop yields are improved (Andersen et al., 2007). When two or more crops with different rooting systems, a different pattern of water and nutrient demand, are planted together, water, nutrients and sunlight are used more efficiently (Nkambule and Ossom 2010). It is understood that the farmer choice of intercropping is based on diversity of diet and income source, stability of production with limited resources (Francis et al., 1976; Jornsguard, 2005; Lichtfouse et al ., 2009). In intercropping there is insurance against crop failure while at the same time spreading labour peaks and extending the growing period (Willey, 1985; Ofori and Stern, 1987; Onduru and Dupreez 2007). Therefore, the combined yields of two crops grown in intercrops can be higher than the yield of the same crop grown as pure stand (Ennin et