Assessment Of Sorghum/Okra Intercrop Productivity, Competitive Behavior And Profitability In Southern Guinea Savannah Agroecology, Nigeria

Sorghum-okra intercropped at different population ratios and introduction periods were studied during the 2021 cropping season. Four population densities of okra (100 %, 75 %, 50 %, and 25 %) were introduced to sorghum three times [ same time (ST), two weeks before planting (2WBP) and two weeks after planting (2WAP)] in a factorial combination in a randomized complete block in split plot, replicated three times. Sole sorghum and okra were included in the treatments as a check. Regardless of population ratios, the yield of sorghum increased as the population density of okra decreased and with further delayed at the time of introduction. Land equivalent ratio (LER) demonstrated intercropping advantage at all population ratios and time of introduction. The area time equivalent ratio (ATER) index, however, indicated no meaningful intercropping advantage. Competitive ratio (CR) showed that okra was more competitive than sorghum when full populations of both crops were intercropped at all times of introduction. Interestingly, however, reduction in the population of okra to 75 % and below, sorghum was more competitive than okra. The Aggressivity (A) values were positive for okra and negative for sorghum when it was planted two weeks ahead of sorghum (2WBP). Monetary advantage (MA) was positive in all the treatments. The discrepancy and inconsistency among the indices for assessing intercropping efficiency suggest that using one index may be misleading and hence, an appropriate index should be used based on the objective of the grower.