Growth and productivity of irrigated cassava cultivated in single and intercropping system with cowpea and different spatial arrangements

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate growth and yield of cassava “Salongor Preta” and cowpea in different spatial arrangements in single and intercropping conditions. The plants were irrigated during the experiment. Two spatial arrangement of plants were evaluated:(I) Cassava in single rows spacing, single crop cultivation and intercropping with cowpea; and (ii) double rows spacing of cassava cultivated single and intercropping with cowpea. The single cropping of cowpea was assessed as well. The following traits were assessed: dry matter of shoot, total leaf area and productivity. Concerning to the productive in different
arrangements, the irrigated crop in double rows is more propitious for the consortium with the Cowpea. In irrigated cultivation, there is an increase in yield of cassava when intercropped with cowpea regardless of spacing, when cassava productivity reaches high productivity up to 8 months of planting, allowing precocity at harvest. The cassava productivity is higher in intercropping system regardless the plant spacing.