Response of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to Different Levels of NPK Fertilizer Application in Cassava/Sesame Intercrop in Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments was conducted during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons at the Teaching and Research farm of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi to evaluate the response of cassava and sesame to different rates of fertilizer NPK 20:10:10 application under intercropping. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three levels of NPK 20:10:10 (0 kg/ha, 200 kg/ha, 400 kg/ha) and two cropping systems [sole cropping (cassava and sesame) and intercropping (cassava + sesame)] laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Sole cropping gave significantly higher plant height at harvest, number of leaves at harvest, number of branches at harvest, number of roots per plant, root diameter and root yield of cassava than intercropping. Fertilizer level at 400kg/ha gave significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher plant height at harvest, number of leaves at harvest, number of branches at harvest, number of roots per plant, root diameter and root yield of cassava than 200 and 0 kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer respectively. Intercropping gave higher number of days to 50% flowering of sesame than sole cropping. However, sole cropping gave significantly higher plant height at harvest, number of leaves at harvest, number of branches at harvest; stem girth, number of capsules per plant, grain yield and 1000-seed weight of sesame than intercropping. Sesame yield and growth parameters increased with increase in NPK fertilizer application. All intercrop combinations had LER values above 1.0 indicating intercrop advantages. Therefore 400kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 should be recommended for cassava/sesame intercrops in Makurdi Location, Nigeria.