CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the study
The current need for increased in the
production of food in Nigeria like many other developing countries of the world
is challenging, farmers in many developing countries practice various farming method
such as intercropping to increase food supply. Intercropping system has been
regarded as the most profitable and reliable source of quantity of food
production in many parts of Nigeria, especially in the rural areas who practice
subsistence farming owning to the facts that production is in small holding
farming system. There is however, a giving awareness among the farmers of the
need to exploit the production potential of
Moringa oleifera in the intercropping system of farming (Mashingaidze,
2004).
Intercropping often reduce pest
incidence and improve forage quality by increasing crude protein yield of
forage, it offers greater financial stability than sole cropping which makes
the system particularly suitable for labour intensive small farms Kang et al,
(1997).
However, intercropping has some
disadvantages such as the selection of the appropriate sowing densities
including extra work in preparing and planting the seed mixture, crop
management practices including harvest. The selection of an appropriate
intercropping system for each case is quite complex as the source of
intercropping system depend much on the interaction between the component crop
species, the available management practices, and the environmental conditions
Jerayama (2001).
Nevertheless, one of the greatest
challenges facing agriculture in the tropics is the need to develop viable
farming systems for the rain fed uplands that are capable of ensuring increased
and sustained crop production with minimum degradation of the non-renewable
soil resources base on (Gutterisage, 1998).
However, for a successful
intercropping careful planning is required taking into consideration, the soil,
climate, crops and crop varieties (Sullivan, 2011). The strategies of
intercropping involves planting a deep rooted crop such as moringa oleifera (a
tree) with a shallow rooted crop like maize and sweet potato which is a trading
plant requiring partial shade (Jeranyama, 2001). Intercropping of compatible
crops also encourages biodiversity by providing a habitat for a variety of
insect and soil organisms that would not be present in a single crop
environment. This biodiversity can in turn help limit outbreaks of crops pest
(Altieri, 1999), by increasing the diversity of abundance of natural enemies
such as spiders or parasitic wasp.
Studies has shown that, some species
of tree crops co-exist with the root tuber crops and cereals, their
allelopathic compatibility may be crucial to determine the success of
intercropping system. A survey of the available information reveals that most
of ht plants species have negative allelopathic effects on food and fodder
crops. Plants or some tress and crops residues have been reported to influence
crop growth and yield (Faroa q et al, 2008; Ahmed et al, 2000 and Guenzi et al,
1987).
Leaf extract of moringa oleifera has
been reported to accelerate growth of young plants, strengthen plants, improve
resistance to pests and diseases, increased leaf are duration, increases number
of roots, produce more and larger fruits and generally increase yield by 20 to
45% (Fugile, 2000). Substances produced by plant may affect other plant either
negatively or positively as well as have possible organize applications and
implications and decline or decrease in yields in cropping system. Against this
background, evaluation of effect of moringa on the growth and yield of maize
and sweet potatoes intercropped was studied.
1.2 Objectives
of the study
The general objective of this study is
to determine the effect of moringa
oleifera on the yield and growth of maize and sweet potato based
intercropping system in Ishiagu.
Ø To
evaluate the effect of moringa oleifera
on the growth of maize and sweet potato intercrops.
Ø To
determine the effect of moringa in
the yield performance of maize and sweet potato intercrops system.
Ø To
draw conclusion of moringa oleifera
in the economics of maize and sweet potato intercrops.
Ø To
investigate the effect of moringa
oleifera on growth and yield of maize and sweet potato intercrops.
Ø To
assess the contribution of moringa oleifera
on soil fertility status.
1.3 Statement
of the Problems
Many useful works has been carried out
on intercropping practice but little or no reference has been made on the
effect of moringa oleifera or cereals
and tuber crops hence, the need of this research work.
1.4 Justification
of the study
This study will help farmers to know
the best cropping practices to adopt whenever intercropping moringa oleifera with other field crops
is involved.
Research findings has shown that leaf
extract of moringa oleifera contain
zeatin, cytokinin and other growth enhancing compound such as ascorbiates and
minerals like Ca, K, and Fe and move excellent crop, growth enhancer (Fugile,
2000). The incorporation of moringa
oleifera in family systems.
Moreover, this will help us to answer
some basic questions on intercropping effect with regard to plant competition
problems effect, nutrient extraction as well as making farmers stand a chance
to benefit from moringa oleifera constant use in cropping system as moringa
will act as fertilizer to crop plant.
1.5 Scope
of the Study
This project was carried out at the
study project site of the college of Agriculture Ishiagu. It involved the study
of moringa effect, the miracle tree in the derived savannah on maize and sweet
potato intercropped. The extension of the project take care of the growth and
yield performances of the two field crops involved maize and sweet potato but
not the flowering and yield performance of moringa oleifera.
However, data collection started from
time of germination to establishment stages of after planting. The growth and
development of the vines and leaves of sweet potato and maize with moringa was
collected at 2 (two) weeks after planting (WAP) to 12 (twelve) weeks after
planting (WAP). Also the economic yield of maize and sweet potato was recorded
and analyzed statistically.
1.6 Duration
of the study
This project work lasted from planting
to harvesting of maize and sweet potato.