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Effects of Melon (Colocynthis vulgaris) Population Density on Intercropped Maize (Zea mays) and Melon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

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

In a study of the optimum population for melon when intercropped with maize, melon at 5000, 10 000, 15 000 and 20 000 plants ha−1 was intercropped with maize at 40 000 plants ha−1. Melon biomass and seed yield increased linearly with population density in mixed and pure stands while maize yield components were virtually unaffected. Intercropping reduced melon seed yields, mainly because of a reduction in number of fruits per plant, but did not affect seed size. For good weed and erosion control and increased total yields, maize can be intercropped with up to 20 000 plants ha−1 of melon.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 21 , Issue 3 , July 1985 , pp. 281 - 289
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

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References

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