Abstract:
Thisexperiment was conducted to assess the effect of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna
Unguiculata L.) intercropping on agronomic performance, dry matter, grain yield and chemical
compositions at Arba Minch University Arnulfo Campus. Biological competition indices computed
were land equivalent ratio (LER), relative crowding coefficient (K), aggressivity index (A) and
competitive ratio (CR). The study was carried out with 4×4×2 factorial arrangements in
randomized complete block design (RCBD). There were two stages of maturity (milk and Dough
stages) and four(4) treatments (sole maize, sole cowpea, intercrops of maize-cowpea in 1:1
alternative rows and intercrops of maize- cowpea in 2:2 alternative rows). Plant height (145.5
cm) of maize was significantly (P<0.001) higher at 1:1 intercropping than sole maize while
cowpea height was higher at sole cropping. Higher (P<0.05) branch number per plant (5.28) of
cowpea was recorded at sole dough stage than intercropping. Grain yield of maize (6.9 t/ha) and
cowpea (4.2 t/ha) was significantly (P<0.05) higher at sole cropping than intercropping and at
par with 1:1 ratio of intercropping result for maize. Higher maize dry matter yield of 9.81 t/ha
was obtained at dough stage while it was 6.11 t/ha at milk stage. Higher dry matter yield of 9.06
t/ha maize was obtained at 1:1 maize- cowpea intercropping ratio than sole maize. Significantly
(P<0.001) highest cowpea dry matter yield of 5.77 t/ha was obtained at sole cropping than
intercropping. Intercropping maize with cowpea had an advantage of resource utilization in
terms of LER 41.7% to 62.5%. Marginal rate of return (MRR) of intercropping in the ratio of 1:1
was as higher as 48.23% in maize cowpea intercropping which was by far better than sole
cropping. Therefore, it could be recommended that milk stage of harvesting at 1:1 ratio of maize
cowpea intercropping for land resource utilization and economic food and feed production in
Arba Minch testing areas and similar agro-ecologies
