EFFECT OF INTERCROP AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS ON QUALITY AND FORAGE YIELD OF MAIZE (ZeamayzL) AND GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogea) IN NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH

Abstract

The study investigated the Effect of Intercrop and Phosphorus Levels on Quality and Forage Yield of Maize (ZeamayzL.) and Groundnut (Arachis hypogea) in Northern Guinea Savannah at the National Animal Production Research Institute Shika, Zaria. The experiment was arrangement factorially in 5x4 with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) which was replicated 3 times. The treatments consisted of five intercropping pattern sole maize (M), sole groundnut (G), 1:1 M-G, 1:2 M-G and 2:1M-G) and four phosphorus levels (0 kg/ha, 10 kg/ha, 20 kg/ha and 30 kg/ha). Forage yield and proximate compositions were determined at 14 weeks after sowing (WAS). Intercropping significantly (P<0.05) affected fresh forage yield of maize and dry forage yield of maize and groundnut. Fresh forage yield of groundnut was significantly (P<0.05) affected by phosphorus levels.
The highest fresh forage yield of maize and dry forage yield of maize and groundnut (20.33, 8.63 and 6.53 t/ha) were obtained at 1:2 M-G intercrops. The percentage proximate composition and fibre fractions were significantly (P<0.05) affected by intercropping and phosphorus levels. The crude protein and crude fibre ranges between 6.60 – 7.30 % and 19.46 – 22.81 %, respectively. This study reveals that intercropping maize and groundnut at 1:2 M-G ratio produced the highest forage yield of
the herbage. Phosphorus levels of 30 kg/ha produced the highest fresh forage of groundnut and improved percentage composition of DM, CP and CF. Therefore intercropping of maize and groundnut at 1:2 M-G at 30 kg/ha phosphorus levels is recommended for farmers and livestock producers in Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria.