Soil Microbial Activity, Growth and Yield of Okra (H ibiscus esculentus), Sunhemp (C rotalaria ju n c e a ) and Ground Nut (A rach ish ypogaea) under Mono-cropping and Inter-cropping

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted under green-house condition to evaluate the effect of mono-cropping and intercropping on growth, yield and soil microbial activity of sunhemp, okra and ground nut. Six different crop combinations; Sunhemp (Tl), Okra (T2), Ground nut (T3), Sunhemp + Okra (T4), Sunhemp + Ground nut (T5), Okra + Ground nut (T6) were tested and maintained two plants/pot (30cm diameter). Complete ’"Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates was used. Statistical analysis was carried out using Duncan’s multiple range Test of SAS program (9.1.3). Number of pods, Number of leaves, Pod/seed weight (wet/dry), Wet/dry weight of stem per plant, plant height and root length were measured. Soil ipicrobial activity was measured according to the CO2 evolution method. Okra grew better when intercropped with ground nut or sunhemp (legumes) than a mono-crop. Significantly higher yield were recorded from okra when grown with ground nut (53%) and sunhemp (17.39%) as compared to mono-cropped plants. Significantly higher yield (112.37%) was recorded in sunhemp when growing with ground nut as comparing to mono-cropped. Ground nut produced 128.61% more yield when intercropped with sunhemp as compared to mono cropped ground nut. When legumes grow as inter-crop with another legume significantly increase the yield than a mono-crop. Intercropping legumes (sunhemp or ground nut) with okra is more beneficial for legume as well as okra. Significantly higher microbial activity (850 CO2 mg/kg of soil) was observed in sunhemp and okra grown as inter-crop.