MAIZE-COWPEA INTERCROPPING AND WEED
SUPPRESSION IN LEAF STRIPPED AND DETASSELLED
MAIZE IN ZIMBABWE

MAIZE-COWPEA INTERCROPPING AND WEED
SUPPRESSION IN LEAF STRIPPED AND DETASSELLED
MAIZE IN ZIMBABWE

R.D. KATSARUWARE

I. O. MANYANHAIRE

A study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of cowpea (Vigna anguiculata) varieties
for maize-cowpea intercropping in leaf stripped and detasselled maize at the University
of Zimbabwe Farm during the 2005/6 cropping season. A Randomized Complete Block
Design (RCBD 4*3*2 factorial experimental design was adopted. Three factors that
included cowpea variety, cropping system and detasselling/leaf stripping were used for
the design. Trailing and climbing varieties invested more dry matter to vegetative growth
than the new upright bushy cultivars that invested most of their dry matter in grain yield.
Leafstripping and detasselling significantly increased cowpea grain and maize yields.
Sole cowpea grain yield was significantly higher than grain yield from their respective
intercrops. Weed density significantly (P<0.01) decreased at 6 weeks after crop
emergence (WACE and at maize physiological maturity (PM), and biomass decreased at
6 (WACE) and maize (PM) respectively. Weed density was reduced in the intercrops
when maize was intercropped with CBC3, BEB and L. Landrace. In contrast R.ex-Mbare
was not effective in suppressing weeds when intercropped with maize. Leafstripping and
detasselling maize at anthesis can be used by smallholder farmers to increase the
productivity of maize and cowpea

Electronic Journal of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Chemistry

2009