Effects if intercropping on fresh leaf yield of amaranth (A. Dubius) in Western Kenya
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Date
2008
Authors
Ng'ang'a, M. N.
Muasya, R. M.
Omami, E.
Ohiokpehai, O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Society for Horticultural Science
Abstract
Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is an important indigenous vegetable in Kenya, yet factors
affecting leaf yield have not been fully investigated. Besides being rich in micronutrients, it has
several medicinal properties compared with most traditional vegetables. For the potential of this
crop to be exploited, there is a need to look at factors that would contribute to optimal leaf yields.
Field experiments were carried out in Teso district of Western Kenya to investigate the effects of
intercropping amaranth (A. dubius) with soybean (G. max) on leaf yield of A. dubius at six
harvest dates. A split-plot design was used where single rows, double rows, and sole stands
formed the main treatments which were replicated three times in two sites (A and B) for two
cropping seasons. Data were collected on A. dubius leaf yield at six harvest dates and analysed
using split-plot ANOVA. Results indicated that intercropping significantly affected leaf yield in
both seasons and sites (P<0.05). Leaf yield of A. dubius was higher in site A than site B and in
season two compared with season one. Similarly, higher A. dubius leaf yield was obtained from
double row intercrops compared with single row intercrops or sole stands for the two seasons in
both sites. There was a significant increase (P<0.05) in leaf yield of A. dubius in weeks 1, 2, and
3, reaching a peak in week 4 before declining in weeks 5 and 6. Average land equivalent ratios
(LERs) were 2.1 for single rows in both sites, and 2.6 and 3.0 for double rows in site A and B
respectively. Intercropping A. dubius with G. max using double rows provided full potential for
sustainable use of biological diversity towards meeting food, health, and economic needs of the
Kenyan population.
Description
Keywords
diversity, indigenous vegetable, land equivalent ratio (LER), micronutrients, soybean
Citation
ISHS Acta Horticulturae 806: 173-179