Effects of Nitrogen rate, Weeding regime and Spatial arrangements on the performance of cowpea intercropped with sorghum at Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

A rain fed trial was conducted at Maiduguri (Latitude 11^o54’N  and longitude130^o50’E) in the years 2002, 2003 and 2004. The objective of the study was to determine the performance of intercropped cowpea in response to nitrogen, weeding and spatial arrangements. Nitrogen at check, 30 and 40kg/ha, weeding at one regime, two regimes and three regimes, and intercropping at 1:1, 1:2 and same hill spatial arrangements were factorials combined (3 x 3 x3) and laid in a randomized block design. The result showed that 40kgN/ha significantly (P<0.05) effected early flowering in cowpea. A significantly (P<0.05)similar reduction in days to 50% flowering in cowpea was recorded between weeding twice and thrice. While same hill spatial arrangement recorded the most significant (P<0.05) reduction in days to 50% flowering. Cowpea nodulation was significantly (P<0.05)increased by 40kgN/ha, weeding at 2WAS and intercropping at same hill. Cowpea crude protein was significantly (P<0.05) increased by 40KgN/ha which gave a similar result with 50KgN/ha. Cowpea crude protein was significantly similar between 1:2 and same hill spatial arrangements which both gave a superior result over 1:1. The was a slight inconsistency between results from each year. Soil and climatic variations were observed to be a possible reason. The combined results was thus used for discussion. Based on the results, 40kgN/ha x weeding thrice (at 2, 4 and 6WAS) x same hill spatial arrangement was recommended for booting the performance of cowpea in Maiduguri and its environs.