Articles
THE PERFORMANCE OF SWEET POTATO VARIETIES WITH MAIZE AND SORGHUM INTERCROPS IN MALAWI
Article number
380_113
Pages
523 – 523
Language
English
Abstract
The purpose of this preliminary study was to identify high yielding varieties of sweet potato in sole or intercrop with maize when crops are planted at the onset of rains.
Maize and sorghum were planted in 1990/91 season at recommended spacings of 0.9 × 0.9 m and 0.9 × 0.6 m, respectively.
Sweet potato was planted between each planting season at the recommended spacing of 0.3 m.
At Bvumbwe and Makoka, maize yields ranged from 87 to 128% of the solo crop of maize, indicating that the maize variety MH18 tolerates intercropping with sweet potato.
Sorghum variety Thangalamga when intercropped with sweet potato yielded 73108% of the sorghum sole crop.
Conversely, sweet potato did not tolerate intercropping with maize, as it yielded 1592% of its sole crop.
This indicates that some varieties are better suited than others for intercropping.
Line 276 at Ngabu, Kenya, at Bvumbwe, and TIS9101 at Makoka yielded as much as the sole crop and a variable percentage of the sole crop yield (3263%) when intercropped with maize.
Revenues were greatly increased by a grain and sweet potato intercrop compared to a sole crop of maize or sorghum.
However, revenues were highest with the sole crop of sweet potato due to its high yields without maize, and a higher price per kilogram of sweet potato roots relative to maize grain.
Other factors such as family food requirements, marketing, and storage of sweet potato would reduce the tendency to produce sole crops of sweet potato in place of maize.
However, planting of maize or sorghum with sweet potato at the onset of normal rainfall at these sites, would enhance food security and family income.
Maize and sorghum were planted in 1990/91 season at recommended spacings of 0.9 × 0.9 m and 0.9 × 0.6 m, respectively.
Sweet potato was planted between each planting season at the recommended spacing of 0.3 m.
At Bvumbwe and Makoka, maize yields ranged from 87 to 128% of the solo crop of maize, indicating that the maize variety MH18 tolerates intercropping with sweet potato.
Sorghum variety Thangalamga when intercropped with sweet potato yielded 73108% of the sorghum sole crop.
Conversely, sweet potato did not tolerate intercropping with maize, as it yielded 1592% of its sole crop.
This indicates that some varieties are better suited than others for intercropping.
Line 276 at Ngabu, Kenya, at Bvumbwe, and TIS9101 at Makoka yielded as much as the sole crop and a variable percentage of the sole crop yield (3263%) when intercropped with maize.
Revenues were greatly increased by a grain and sweet potato intercrop compared to a sole crop of maize or sorghum.
However, revenues were highest with the sole crop of sweet potato due to its high yields without maize, and a higher price per kilogram of sweet potato roots relative to maize grain.
Other factors such as family food requirements, marketing, and storage of sweet potato would reduce the tendency to produce sole crops of sweet potato in place of maize.
However, planting of maize or sorghum with sweet potato at the onset of normal rainfall at these sites, would enhance food security and family income.
Authors
R.F.N. Sauti, E.S. Matabwa, G.F. Bakali, W.S. Braunnworth Jr
Keywords
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