Effects of intercropping with cowpea on field establishment of F3 Amazon cocoa seedlings and soil nutrient status.

摘要

The effects of intercropping with cowpea on the performance of F3 Amazon cocoa seedlings were studied in Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. Intercropping with cowpea significantly enhanced the vigour of cocoa seedlings, as revealed by the differences in stem height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area between intercropped seedlings and the control. This was associated with the positive correlations between soil N content and nodule diameter, and between soil N and the rhizobium coverage. A slight increase in the levels of Ca, Mg, K and P at 0-30 cm was recorded. The pH increased from 6.20 to 6.50 after 32 weeks of intercropping, whereas the levels of Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn decreased slightly..