Ayodele, O.J and Shittu, OS
Abstract
Marketable yield of leaf amaranth obtained by uprooting and repeated cutting were not affected by intercropping with maize but increased significantly with fertilizer application. The application of 400 kg NPK+100 kg urea.ha-1 gave the best yield of uprooted amaranth, especially under intercropping, while 400 kg NPK.ha-1 was required for optimum yield by repeated cutting in sole and intercropping. Sole amaranth gave significantly higher seed yield. Application of 400 kg NPK and 400 kg NPK+100 kg urea.ha-1 gave best yields in intercropping and sole cropping, respectively. Cropping system and fertilizer did not significantly affect maize grain yield. Land equivalent ratio (LER) values exceed 1.0 indicating maize-amaranth intercropping advantages over sole crops. Fertilizer application increased LER and confirms the recommendation of 400 kg NPK+100 kg urea.ha-1 for amaranth marketable yield and 400 kg NPK.ha-1 for seed yield.