Abstract

Experiment was conducted at Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria, to assess the compatibility of kenaf with cowpea in kenaf/cowpea mixtures. There were eight treatments.  Each treatment was replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Agronomic assessment indicated that kenaf and cowpea were compatible for intercropping and the land equivalent ratio values ranged from 1.5 – 2.0.  Maximum advantage was however derived from intercropping Ifeken 100 kenaf with cowpea (LER = 2.0). In the intercrop treatments, Ifeken 100 also had the maximum fresh and dry weight yields per plant, indicating that it was most suitable as wet and dry season  forage for cattle and sheep while its dry form would produce highest cellulose fibre for the pulping industry.  Its fibre yield in the intercrop treatment was also the highest. Although Cuba 108 had the highest percentage moisture per plant, it was not significantly different from that of Ifeken 400, indicating that the two varieties could be suitable for only wet season forage production.  Therefore, Ifeken 100 is recommended for intercropping with cowpea while Ifeken 400 is only suited for wet season forage.

Key words:  Kenaf, cowpea, intercrops, fibre, LER.