Growth and Yield of Cyperus esculentus L as Influenced by Cropping Systems in Ogun State, forest – savanna agro-ecological zone of southwest Nigeria

At the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria (7°20’ N, 3°23’ E), field experiments were conducted during the early and late cropping seasons off 2019 to evaluate the impacts of various cropping patterns on the growth and yield performance of tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.). Seven cropping patterns were evaluated and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on plant height, number of tillers and crop yield. Results showed that sole tiger nut produced taller plants with more number of tillers compared to Tiger nut intercropped with maize and sweet potatoes. In both season, maximum crop yield was attained with sole Tiger nut and was comparable to those of Tiger nut intercropped with maize. Relative to the sole Tiger nut, there was 25.3 % reduction in Tiger nut yield when it is intercropped with maize. There was additional 28 % reduction in Tiger nut yield when Tiger nut is intercropped with sweet potato and maize. The study showed that Tiger nut could be intercropped with maize as the yield of Tiger nut in intercropped is comparable to the sole. Therefore, Tiger nut, intercropped with maize is recommended.