Effect of Cowpea Seeding Density on Growth Parameters and Grain Yield of Maize in a real Crop Situation in Northern Côte d'Ivoire.

Abstract

Soil depletion and degradation as well as climate variability are responsible for the decrease in agricultural yields and the poverty of the rural population in northern Côte d'Ivoire.The present study was conducted in a participatory manner with two (2) food producer groups from the villages of Kolokaha and Sohouo (Korhogo Department) to determine the density of semi cowpea seeding that maximizes the growth and yield of maize.In this perspective, three densities of cowpea tested in this system of association with pure maize culture during two growing seasons with two improved maize varieties and a local variety.This is the T0 treatment: pure corn culture; T1_SNL: corn + semi-cowpea in interbedded line; T2_SNLDI: corn + semi-cowpea in double line; T3_SNQ: corn + semi-cowpea staggered.The results show that improved varieties of maize produce more and grow faster than the local variety. At each of two study sites, there was no marked effect of cowpea seeding density on plant height and grain yield per unit area.Although the three association modalities are efficient, SNL and SNLDI association models, which are confirmed as the most competitive, can preferably be recommended in a rural environment. However, the study of the use of cowpea with corn could be considered to allow a better use of the soil resources and consequently an improvement of the productivity of the associated crops.