Greener Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

Greener Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Vol. 5 (1), pp. 005-008, April 2018.

  ISSN: 2354-2292 © 2018 Authors

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 122417180

(DOI: http://doi.org/10.15580/GJSSPN.2018.1.122417180)

 

Effect of under Sowing Date of Melon under Sown to Maize and its Influence on Soil Properties

 

 

Nweke I. A.*, Chime E. U., Ibeh C. U.

 

 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined the under sowing date of melon under sown to maize and its influence on soil properties. The field trial was carried out at the Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Data collected was subjected to T-test analysis and mean separation was done using LSD at 5% alpha level. The findings of the study showed that the tested parameters; plant height, leaf area, maize grain yield and soil properties assessed increased in mixed crop than the sole crop. The results suggest that under sowing melon under sown to maize at 2 weeks after maize establishment is an efficient and effective production system. Both the maize and studied soil benefited from the melon. The study clearly indicated that melon can be under sown to maize to maximize land use and higher productivity per unit land area.

Keywords: Melon, maize grain, intercropping, mixed cropping, soil properties

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