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Nutrient Uptake by Intercropped Maize and Cowpeas and a Concept of Nutrient Supplementation Index (NSI)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

T. A. T. Wahua
Affiliation:
Agronomy Department, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Summary

Accumulation curves for N, P, K and Ca were determined for intercropped maize and cowpeas given different fertilizer combinations. Both species competed for these four elements, with cowpeas suffering relatively more than maize. A concept of a Nutrient Supplementation Index (NSI) was developed to aid studies on fertilization of crop mixtures. Using this index, it was estimated that an additional 9.7, 24.0, 9.7 and 30.6% of N, P, K and Ca, respectively (based on the requirement of sole-crop maize), might be needed to satisfy the combined needs of a 1:1 row maize–cowpea intercrop.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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