Studies on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Intercropped with Fodder Cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.) in Sandy Soil

FIELD trials were carried out in a newly reclaimed sandy soil at South Tahrir Research Station, during 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons to study the response of intercropping fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) with cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) at different plant spacing of cassava (1.0m x1.5m, 1.0m x1.0m and 1.0m x 0.75 m) and three plant density of fodder cowpea (21000, 28000 and 42000 plants/fed) on growth, yield and yield components of both crops. A split plot design was used with three replicates. The effect of cassava plant spacing indicated that maximum yield of cassava tubers was associated with lowest cassava spacing (1.0 m x 0.75 m) associated with highest cowpea plant density (42000 plants/fed) in both seasons. Whereas, the maximum yield of cowpea forage yield was observed when fodder cowpea was intercropped with cassava under highest cassava plant spacing (1.0 m x1.5 m) associated with highest plant density of cowpea (42000 plants/fed) in the two seasons. Maximum value of land equivalent ratio (LER) 1.66 and 1.70 were recorded when cassava was planted at 1.0 m x 0.75 m intercropped with cowpea at highest population density (42000 plants/fed) in the two seasons. Cassava was the dominated crop when intercropped with cowpea in most cases.