Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T03:29:41.032Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effects of Intercropping, Mulching and Staking on Growth and Yield of Tomatoes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

F. O. Olasantan
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy, School of Agricultural Education, Oyo State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, Nigeria

Summary

The effects of intercropping, mulching and staking on growth and yield of three tomato varieties were evaluated in four field trials in 1982 and 1983. Fruit yields of the improved varieties were significantly reduced by intercropping with okra but the yield of a local variety was unaffected. Though the yield of okra when grown with tomato varieties was less than that of a sole crop, the combined yield of the two crops in mixtures was more than the means of the species in monoculture. Relative Yield Totals (RYT) increased to maxima of about 1.42 and 1.39 when the local variety was grown with okra in 1982 and 1983 trials, respectively. Mulching and staking significantly increased vegetative growth, yield and yield components of the tomato plants. Mulched plants grew taller and had more branches and a greater number and weight of fruits than staked plants. Improved varieties responded better to mulching and staking than the local variety. Growing improved varieties of tomato in sole stands with proper mulching and staking is therefore recommended.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Adelana, B. O. (1976). Effect of staking on growth and yield of tomatoes. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal 41:243249.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Asagade, V. O. (1980). Effect of surface mulch on soil/root temperature in a container grown tomato under glass house condition. Unpublished project report. School of Agriculture I.A.R. & T., University of Ife, Ibadan, Nigeria.Google Scholar
De Wit, C. T. & Van Den Bergh, J. P. (1965). Competition between herbage plants. Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science 13:212221.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duranti, A. (1966). Experiments on the technique of tomato growing with reference to the possibilities of mechanical harvesting. Annali Facolta di Scienze, Napoli 1:3349.Google Scholar
Fadimu, A. B. (1979). Mulching materials and soil conservation. Unpublished project report. School of Agriculture I.A.R. & T., University of Ife, Ibadan, Nigeria.Google Scholar
Quinn, J. G. (1974). An evaluation of methods of mulching and staking tomatoes grown during rains at Samaru, Nigeria. Horticultural Research 13:97104.Google Scholar
Van Den Bergh, J. P. (1968). An analysis of yield of grasses in mixed and pure stands. Verslagen land-bouwkundig Onderzoek (Agricultural Research Reports) 714. Wageningen: Pudoc.Google Scholar
Willey, R. W. (1979). Intercropping – Its importance and research needs. Part I – Competition and yield advantages. Field Crop Abstracts 32:110.Google Scholar