Cowpea cultivar mixtures for stable and optimal leaf and seed yields in a maize intercropping system

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is an important crop in many African countries, though its use as a leafy vegetable has not received adequate research attention. Leaf and grain yields are low and unstable, especially in highly variable climates in marginal areas. A study was conducted to evalu...

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Main Authors: Kabululu, MS, Ojiewo, Christopher Ochieng, Oluoch, M, Maass, Brigitte L.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Informa UK Limited 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42274
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author Kabululu, MS
Ojiewo, Christopher Ochieng
Oluoch, M
Maass, Brigitte L.
author_browse Kabululu, MS
Maass, Brigitte L.
Ojiewo, Christopher Ochieng
Oluoch, M
author_facet Kabululu, MS
Ojiewo, Christopher Ochieng
Oluoch, M
Maass, Brigitte L.
author_sort Kabululu, MS
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is an important crop in many African countries, though its use as a leafy vegetable has not received adequate research attention. Leaf and grain yields are low and unstable, especially in highly variable climates in marginal areas. A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of cowpea cultivar mixtures on leaf and seed yield and stability in a cowpea–maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping system. Four cowpea cultivars and a local landrace check were used in monoculture or in different mixture levels. When leaves were harvested, seed yield was reduced on average by 57% and 59%, on-station and on-farm, respectively, with large variation among treatments. The local landrace check had the highest leaf yields on-farm where it produced a mean of 25 g/plant/2-weekly harvesting interval. It also conveyed positive mixture effects; however, yield stability across successive harvests was lowest, indicating its capacity to react to positive environmental changes. Some mixtures of more than two cultivars maintained more leaf yield stability over time across successive leaf harvests. The highest positive relative mixture effects on leaf and seed yields of up to 100% and 193%, respectively, were obtained in two-way mixtures, indicating that these may offer the best combinations for improved yields and to screen for favorable and unfavorable cultivar components.
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spelling CGSpace422742025-03-13T09:44:04Z Cowpea cultivar mixtures for stable and optimal leaf and seed yields in a maize intercropping system Kabululu, MS Ojiewo, Christopher Ochieng Oluoch, M Maass, Brigitte L. feed crops cowpeas caupi yields rendimiento intercropping cultivo intercalado vigna unguiculata leafy vegetable Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is an important crop in many African countries, though its use as a leafy vegetable has not received adequate research attention. Leaf and grain yields are low and unstable, especially in highly variable climates in marginal areas. A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of cowpea cultivar mixtures on leaf and seed yield and stability in a cowpea–maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping system. Four cowpea cultivars and a local landrace check were used in monoculture or in different mixture levels. When leaves were harvested, seed yield was reduced on average by 57% and 59%, on-station and on-farm, respectively, with large variation among treatments. The local landrace check had the highest leaf yields on-farm where it produced a mean of 25 g/plant/2-weekly harvesting interval. It also conveyed positive mixture effects; however, yield stability across successive harvests was lowest, indicating its capacity to react to positive environmental changes. Some mixtures of more than two cultivars maintained more leaf yield stability over time across successive leaf harvests. The highest positive relative mixture effects on leaf and seed yields of up to 100% and 193%, respectively, were obtained in two-way mixtures, indicating that these may offer the best combinations for improved yields and to screen for favorable and unfavorable cultivar components. 2014-07-03 2014-09-09T16:53:08Z 2014-09-09T16:53:08Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42274 en Limited Access Informa UK Limited Kabululu, M. S., Ojiewo, C., Oluoch, M., & Maass, B. L. (2014). Cowpea Cultivar Mixtures for Stable and Optimal Leaf and Seed Yields in a Maize Intercropping System. In International Journal of Vegetable Science (Vol. 20, Issue 3, pp. 270–284). Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2013.813889
spellingShingle feed crops
cowpeas
caupi
yields
rendimiento
intercropping
cultivo intercalado
vigna unguiculata
leafy vegetable
Kabululu, MS
Ojiewo, Christopher Ochieng
Oluoch, M
Maass, Brigitte L.
Cowpea cultivar mixtures for stable and optimal leaf and seed yields in a maize intercropping system
title Cowpea cultivar mixtures for stable and optimal leaf and seed yields in a maize intercropping system
title_full Cowpea cultivar mixtures for stable and optimal leaf and seed yields in a maize intercropping system
title_fullStr Cowpea cultivar mixtures for stable and optimal leaf and seed yields in a maize intercropping system
title_full_unstemmed Cowpea cultivar mixtures for stable and optimal leaf and seed yields in a maize intercropping system
title_short Cowpea cultivar mixtures for stable and optimal leaf and seed yields in a maize intercropping system
title_sort cowpea cultivar mixtures for stable and optimal leaf and seed yields in a maize intercropping system
topic feed crops
cowpeas
caupi
yields
rendimiento
intercropping
cultivo intercalado
vigna unguiculata
leafy vegetable
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42274
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