Agroeconomic Analysis of Fertilizer Effects on Maize/Cowpea Intercrop in Ile-Ife and Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria
Keywords:
Economic, Agronomic, Maize/cowpea Intercrop, Fertilizer, Agroecological zones.
Abstract
Optimizing crop yield and farm income levels under continuous cropping system makes external sourcing of nutrients inevitable. The integration of leguminous plants into maize-based crop production systems have been identified as an environmentally-friendly and profitable technology for promoting food security and incomes of poor rural farming households. This paper investigates the effects of different levels of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on DMRE-SRY cultivar of maize output, and determines the economic benefits derivable in a maize/ cowpea intercrop production system in the rain forest and derived savanna zones of southwestern Nigeria. With maize and cowpea maintained separately at a spacing of 0.90 m x 0.20 m and 0.90 m x 0.30 m, respectively, with two seeds per hill, a plant population of 111,111 and 74,074 were obtained per hectare for each crop during the 2003, 2004 and 2005 experimental periods. The two component crops were planted in strip rows of 2:2 cowpea in between maize. Data were collected on inputs and costs, as well as on crop outputs and prices. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and budgetary technique. Results showed that maize grain yield was highly influenced by fertilizer levels. The highest grain yield of 4.07 t/ha recorded in the rain forest was significantly higher than the 2.1 t/ha obtained for the derived savanna zone at the 135 kg N/ha level of fertilizer application. The gross margin of maize increased from N31,950 at 90 kg N/ha to N52,520 at 135 kg N/ha in the forest while a reduction in loss was obtained for the savanna zone as fertilizer levels increased from 90 kg N/ha to 135 kg N/ha. The promotion of maize/ cowpea intercrop at appropriate fertilizer use levels is, therefore, a promising agronomic practice for promoting sustainable maize production in the study area.
References
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Adetiloye, P.O. 2001. The effect of maize population and nitrogen level on the performance of maize/cowpea intercrop
ASSET Series A Vol 1 No 115-120
Adetunji, M.T. 1994. Nitrogen application and underground water contamination in some agricultural soils of south western
Nigeria. Fertilizer Research 37:16-19
Adetunji, M.T. 1996. Nitrogen utilization by maize in a maize-cowpea sequential Cropping of an intensively cultivated tropical Ultisol. Journal of India Soc. of Soil Sc. 44(1): 85-88.
Aiboni, V.U. 2001. Characteristics and classification of soils of a representative topographic location in the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. ASSET Series A Vol 1 No 1:51-62
Awe, O.A. 1997. "Soil fertility management using organic fertilizers and low-external-input techniques". Paper presented at the national workshop on soil conservation and soil fertility management for sustainable rural development, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria. November, 5-7.
Bamire, A.S., Manyong, V.M. 2003. “Profitability of intensification technologies among smallholder maize farmers in the forest-savanna transition zone of Nigeria”. Agriculture, Ecosystem & Environment 100(2):111-118
Bamire, A.S., Amujoyegbe B.J. 2004. Economics of poultry manure utilization in land quality improvement among integrated poultry-maize-farmers in southwestern Nigeria. Journal of sustainable Agriculture, Vol 23(3):21-35
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Exner D.N., Cruse R.M. 1993. Interseeded forage legume potential as winter ground cover, nitrogen source, and competitor. Journal of Production Agriculture 1993; 6:226-231.
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Langyintuo, A.S., J. Lowenberg-DeBoer, M. Faye, D. Lambert, G. Ibro, B. Moussa, Kergna, S. Kushwaha, S. Musa, G. Ntoukam, 2003. Cowpea supply and demand in West and Central Africa, Field Crops res. 82: 215-231. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T6M-486G7HFMafongoye et al., 2003
Manyong, V.M., Houndekon, A.V. 1997. "Land tenurial systems and the adoption of mucuna planted fallows in the derived savannas of West Africa". Paper Presented at the workshop on property rights, collective action and technology adoption. ICARDA. November 22-25. Aleppo, Syria.
Mafongoya, P.L., Sileshi G. 2003. Effect of rotational fallow on abundance of soil insect and weed in maize crop in eastern
Zambia. Applied Soil Ecology. 23:211-222
Ogoke, I.J., Carsky, R.J. Togun A.O., K Dashiel, 2001. Maize yield following phosphorus fertilized soybean in the Nigeria Guinea savanna In Badu-Apraku, B., M.A.B. Fakorede,O. Coulibaly and R.J.Carskey (eds) Impact, challenges and prospects of maize research and development in West and Central Africa. Proceedings of a Regional Maize Workshop, IITA-Cotonou, Benin Republic, 4-7 May,1999. WECAMAN/IITA. pp 205-213
Ogunbodede, B.A., Olakojo S.A. 2001. Development of hybrid maize tolerant to Striga asiatica. In Badu-Apraku, B., M.A.B. Fakorede, O. Coulibaly and R.J.Carskey (eds) Impact, challenges and prospects of maize research and development in West and Central Africa. Proceedings of a Regional Maize Workshop, IITA-Cotonou, Benin Republic, 4-7 May,1999. WECAMAN/IITA. pp 139-146
Olayemi, J.K., Ikpi, A.E. 1995. "Sustainable agriculture and economic development in Nigeria". African rural social sciences research networks. Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development.
Olayide, S.O., Eweka, J.A., Bello-Osagie, V.E. 1980. Nigerian small farmers: Problems and prospects in integrated rural development. Caxton Press (West Africa) Limited, Ibadan. p 2-15;56-64.
Olusi, J.O. 1990. "An analysis of socioeconomic factors influencing soyabean farming in Ekiti-Akoko Agricultural Development Project (EAADP). An unpublished Ph.d thesis submitted to the department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University. Ile-Ife. Nigeria.
Osiru, D.S.O., Willey R.W. 1972. Studies on ixture of dwarf sorghum and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) with particular reference to plant population. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge. 79 531-50
Pieri, C.J.M.G. 1992. Fertility of soils: A future for farming in the West African savanna. Springer-Verlag, Barlin.348p
Sanginga, N., Hardarson, G. W.J. Broughton, 2003. Role of biological nitrogen fixation in legume based cropping systems; a case study of West African farming systems Plant and Soil. 252(1): 25-39
Singh, B.B., Ajeigbe, H.A. 2002. Improving cowpea-cereals based cropping systems in the dry savannas of West Africa. Pages 278-286 In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B. Singh, P.M. Kormawa and Tamo, M. (Editors) 2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. Proceedings of World Cowpea Conference III held at the IITA, Ibadan Nigeria, 4-8 September, 2000. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Steiner, K.G. 1984. Intercropping in tropical smallholder agriculture with special reference to West Africa. (2nd ed) No 137, Eschborn, Germany. 663pp
Waddington, S.R, Heisey P.W. 1997. Meeting the nitrogen requirements of maize grown by resource-poor farmers in southern Africa by integrating varieties, fertilizer use, crop management and policies. In. Edmeades G.O. et al. eds. Developing drought and low N tolerant maize. Proceedings Symposium at CIMMYT, El Batan, Mexico. 25-29 March 1996. Mexico, DF: CIMMYT: 44-57
Adetiloye, P.O. 2001. The effect of maize population and nitrogen level on the performance of maize/cowpea intercrop
ASSET Series A Vol 1 No 115-120
Adetunji, M.T. 1994. Nitrogen application and underground water contamination in some agricultural soils of south western
Nigeria. Fertilizer Research 37:16-19
Adetunji, M.T. 1996. Nitrogen utilization by maize in a maize-cowpea sequential Cropping of an intensively cultivated tropical Ultisol. Journal of India Soc. of Soil Sc. 44(1): 85-88.
Aiboni, V.U. 2001. Characteristics and classification of soils of a representative topographic location in the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. ASSET Series A Vol 1 No 1:51-62
Awe, O.A. 1997. "Soil fertility management using organic fertilizers and low-external-input techniques". Paper presented at the national workshop on soil conservation and soil fertility management for sustainable rural development, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria. November, 5-7.
Bamire, A.S., Manyong, V.M. 2003. “Profitability of intensification technologies among smallholder maize farmers in the forest-savanna transition zone of Nigeria”. Agriculture, Ecosystem & Environment 100(2):111-118
Bamire, A.S., Amujoyegbe B.J. 2004. Economics of poultry manure utilization in land quality improvement among integrated poultry-maize-farmers in southwestern Nigeria. Journal of sustainable Agriculture, Vol 23(3):21-35
Bationo, A., Ntare, B.R., Tarawali, S. A., Tabo, R. 2003. Soil fertility management and cowpea production in the semi-arid tropics. In: Cowpea contribution to farming systems/Agronomic improvement of cowpea production (eds.) Bationo, A., Ntare, B.R., Tarawali, S..A. and Tabo, R..Willey. London, pp 301-318
Bationo, A., Ntare, B.R. 2000. Rotation and nitrogen fertilizer effect on pearl millet, cowpea, and groundnut yield and soil chemical properties in a sandy soil in the semi arid tropics, West African. Journal of Agricultural Science, (Cambridge), 134:277-284
Carsky R.J., Iwuafor E.N.O. 1999. Contribution of soil fertility research and maintenance to improved maize production in sub-saharan Africa. Pp 3-22 in Badu-Apraku B, Fakorede M.A.B., Ouedraogo M and Quin F.M. (eds). Strategy for Sustainable Maize Production in West and Central Africa Proceedings of a Regional Maize Workshop held in Cotonou, Benin Republic 21 to 25 April 1997.IITA-Cotonou.
Cheruiyot, E.K., Mumera, L.M., Nakhone, L.N., Mwonga, S.M. 2003. Effect of legume-managed fallow on weed and soil nitrogen in fallowing maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum eastivum L.) crops in the rift valley islands of Kenya. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 43(6):597-604
Exner D.N., Cruse R.M. 1993. Interseeded forage legume potential as winter ground cover, nitrogen source, and competitor. Journal of Production Agriculture 1993; 6:226-231.
Fakorede, M.A.B., B. Badu-Apraku, O. Coulibaly, Fajemisin J.M. 2001. Maize research and development priorities in sub-Saharan Africa in the next millennium. In Badu-Apraku, B., M.A.B. Fakorede, O. Coulibaly and R.J.Carskey (eds) Impact, challenges and prospects of maize research and development in West and Central Africa. Proceedings of a Regional Maize Workshop, IITA-Cotonou, Benin Republic, 4-7 May,1999. WECAMAN/IITA. pp 31-58
Giller K.E., McDonagh J.F., Cadisch G. 1994. Can biological nitrogen fixation sustain agriculture in the tropics?. In: Syers J.K., Rimmer D.L., eds. Soil science and sustainable sand management in the tropics. Wallingford, UK: CAB Int, 173-191.
Giller, K.E., Cadisch, G. 1995. “Future benefits from Nitrogen fixation: an ecological approach to agriculture.” Plant and Soil (174): 255-277
Horton, D. 1982. "Partial budget Analysis for On-farm Potato Research". Technical Information Bulletin 16. International Potato Centre, Lima. Peru. p 16
IITA, 2003. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture “Legumes and Striga Suicide” on web page: http://www.iita.org/research/legumes. Accessed on September 12, 2005
Juo, A.S.R, Lal, R. 1977. The effect of fallow and continuous cultivation on the chemical and physical properties of an alfisol in Western Nigeria. Plant and Soil 47:567-584
Jones, M.J, Wild A. 1975. Soils of the West African savanna. Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau, Technical Communication No.55, Harpenden England
Langyintuo, A.S., J. Lowenberg-DeBoer, M. Faye, D. Lambert, G. Ibro, B. Moussa, Kergna, S. Kushwaha, S. Musa, G. Ntoukam, 2003. Cowpea supply and demand in West and Central Africa, Field Crops res. 82: 215-231. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T6M-486G7HFMafongoye et al., 2003
Manyong, V.M., Houndekon, A.V. 1997. "Land tenurial systems and the adoption of mucuna planted fallows in the derived savannas of West Africa". Paper Presented at the workshop on property rights, collective action and technology adoption. ICARDA. November 22-25. Aleppo, Syria.
Mafongoya, P.L., Sileshi G. 2003. Effect of rotational fallow on abundance of soil insect and weed in maize crop in eastern
Zambia. Applied Soil Ecology. 23:211-222
Ogoke, I.J., Carsky, R.J. Togun A.O., K Dashiel, 2001. Maize yield following phosphorus fertilized soybean in the Nigeria Guinea savanna In Badu-Apraku, B., M.A.B. Fakorede,O. Coulibaly and R.J.Carskey (eds) Impact, challenges and prospects of maize research and development in West and Central Africa. Proceedings of a Regional Maize Workshop, IITA-Cotonou, Benin Republic, 4-7 May,1999. WECAMAN/IITA. pp 205-213
Ogunbodede, B.A., Olakojo S.A. 2001. Development of hybrid maize tolerant to Striga asiatica. In Badu-Apraku, B., M.A.B. Fakorede, O. Coulibaly and R.J.Carskey (eds) Impact, challenges and prospects of maize research and development in West and Central Africa. Proceedings of a Regional Maize Workshop, IITA-Cotonou, Benin Republic, 4-7 May,1999. WECAMAN/IITA. pp 139-146
Olayemi, J.K., Ikpi, A.E. 1995. "Sustainable agriculture and economic development in Nigeria". African rural social sciences research networks. Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development.
Olayide, S.O., Eweka, J.A., Bello-Osagie, V.E. 1980. Nigerian small farmers: Problems and prospects in integrated rural development. Caxton Press (West Africa) Limited, Ibadan. p 2-15;56-64.
Olusi, J.O. 1990. "An analysis of socioeconomic factors influencing soyabean farming in Ekiti-Akoko Agricultural Development Project (EAADP). An unpublished Ph.d thesis submitted to the department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University. Ile-Ife. Nigeria.
Osiru, D.S.O., Willey R.W. 1972. Studies on ixture of dwarf sorghum and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) with particular reference to plant population. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge. 79 531-50
Pieri, C.J.M.G. 1992. Fertility of soils: A future for farming in the West African savanna. Springer-Verlag, Barlin.348p
Sanginga, N., Hardarson, G. W.J. Broughton, 2003. Role of biological nitrogen fixation in legume based cropping systems; a case study of West African farming systems Plant and Soil. 252(1): 25-39
Singh, B.B., Ajeigbe, H.A. 2002. Improving cowpea-cereals based cropping systems in the dry savannas of West Africa. Pages 278-286 In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B. Singh, P.M. Kormawa and Tamo, M. (Editors) 2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. Proceedings of World Cowpea Conference III held at the IITA, Ibadan Nigeria, 4-8 September, 2000. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Steiner, K.G. 1984. Intercropping in tropical smallholder agriculture with special reference to West Africa. (2nd ed) No 137, Eschborn, Germany. 663pp
Waddington, S.R, Heisey P.W. 1997. Meeting the nitrogen requirements of maize grown by resource-poor farmers in southern Africa by integrating varieties, fertilizer use, crop management and policies. In. Edmeades G.O. et al. eds. Developing drought and low N tolerant maize. Proceedings Symposium at CIMMYT, El Batan, Mexico. 25-29 March 1996. Mexico, DF: CIMMYT: 44-57
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