9 ref.; 4 tables; 1 fig. Summary (En)

The effect of number of plants per stand on the performance of mixed sorghum and cowpea was studied by alternating one, two and three plants per stand of each crop in a row. The spacings for the two and three plants per stand were double and triple that of one plant per stand, thus giving the same plant population per unit area. Mean leaf area index (LAI) of cowpea in the one plant combination was 48% and 52% of the LAI in the two and three plant combinations respectively. Light distribution within the canopy profile was more nearly uniform in the two plant combination, resulting in higher utilization efficiency. Dry matter produced per unit of light intercepted after the attainment of highest LAI amounted to 5.58, 6.41 and 6.18 g/m2/day for one, two and three plant combinations respectively. The best grain yield of sorghum was obtained from the one plant combination; the two and three plant combinations yielded respectively 4% and 12% less than the one plant combination. The best yield of cowpea was recorded at the two plant combination; the one and three plant combinations yielded respectively 69% and 28% less than the two plant combination. The gross return from the two plant combination was at least 200.00 higher than either of the other combinations. The advantages of mixed cropping can be increased by judicious selection of planting pattern

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