Performance of maize/soybean intercrop under different tillage systems at Badeggi, central Nigeria

The main objective of this research is to determine the effect of tillage types and intercropping systems on productivity of maize and soybean. The experiment was carried out at the experimental field of National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi during the 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons. Three treatments (ridge, flat and broad bed) and three cropping systems (sole maize, sole soybean and maize/soybean intercrop) were applied. Maize plant height was higher when intercropped with soybean on flat while the highest grain yield was obtained in sole maize planted on broad bed. Soybean height was not affected by both tillage types and intercrop while the highest and least grain yield of soybean was obtained when planted solely on flat and ridge respectively. This result showed that sole maize on broad bed gave higher maize grain yield while maximum soybean grain was produced on sole planting.