Contribution of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) – Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) Intercropping to Productivity of the System in Semi-deciduous Forest Zone of Ghana

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the growth, yield and cost effectiveness of okra-cowpea intercropping system at the Plantation Section of Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, during the major rainy season of 2017.  The okra was planted on 1st May, 2017 and the cowpea introduced at varying planting dates i.e. at the same time, 1, 2, 3 and 4 WAP. Sole okra and cowpea served as control. The experimental plots were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven (7) treatments and replicated three (3) times. The data collected were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the treatment means separated by least significance difference (LSD) at 5% probability. Results showed that time of introduction of the cowpea caused a reduction (P < 0.05) in the growth and yield of the component crops. The partial equivalent ratio of cowpea planted at the same time with okra and one week later was greater (P < 0.05) than the component okra whiles that of okra was greater than cowpea in 2, 3 and 4 weeks. The Land Equivalent Ratio of all the intercrops was greater than 1 showing that intercropping okra with cowpea was beneficial. The highest Gross Monetary Returns, Land Equivalent Ratio and Monetary Equivalent Ratio of GHȻ 7,039.40, 1.75 and 1.31, respectively were recorded in okra intercropped with cowpea 2 WAP. Okra sown with cowpea at the same time recorded a disadvantage (0.84) in Monetary Equivalent Ratio. To ensure higher yield and economic returns, cowpea could be introduced into okro 2 weeks after planting okro.