Agronomic performances of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) R. Br.) varieties intercropped with legumes in Sahelian Savanna of Nigeria

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Teaching and Research Farm of Department of Crop Production, under Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, during 2010 and 2011 rainy season. Four pearl millet varieties: V1=SOSAT-C-88, V2=ZATIP, V3=LACRI-9702-IC and V4=EX-BORNO was intercropped with Groundnut (Var. Samnut – 14), Soybean (Var.TGX – 1830-2E), Cowpea (Var.IT89KD 288) and Bambaranut (Var. Damboa white) each with 1:1 alternate row arrangement. The results revealed that, plant height, number of leaves per plant and number of days to floweing were significantly higher for varieties ZATIP (V2) and EX-BORNO(V4) than SOSAT-C-88 (V1)or LACRI-97021C (V3). Single leaf area was higher for SOSAT-C88 (V1) and) ZATIP (V2), while number of tillers per plant was higher for SOSAT-C-88 (V1) than the other varieties. Grain yield per plant-1 and harvest index (%) were significantly higher for SOSAT-C-88 (V1) and ZATIP (V2), while grain yield per ha-1 and 1000 grain weight (g) were significantly higher for SOSAT-C-88 (V1) than the other varieties. Grain yield per ha-1 was positively correlated with harvest index (%) (r = 0.76**), leaf area (r = 0.78**), grain yield/panicle (r = 0.85**) and number of panicles/plant (r = 0.92**). Grain yield of legumes was significantly greater when grown in association with SOSAT-C-88 (V1) or LACRI-9702-IC (V3) than ZATIP (V2) or EX-BORNO (V4). The variety SOSAT-C-88 (V1) + legume association had the highest relative competitive ability and grain yield advantage compared to the other intercrop combinations. The gross monetary returns were also highest for pearl millet variety SOSAT-C-88 and ZATIP grown in association with each of the legumes. Grain and fodder yields can be optimized by growing pearl millet variety SOSAT-C-88 in association with cowpea, groundnut, bambarranut or soybean, while monetary returns can be optimized by intercropping SOSAT-C-88 (V1) or ZATIP (V2) with any of the legumes in the Sudan savannah region.