Effects of Intercropping Celosia, Amaranthus and Corchorus on the Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.).

Intercropping is the growing of two or more crops in close proximity to promote interaction between them. Intercropping has the advantage of increasing crop productivity. It could, however, lower the yield of one or more of the component crops. Two field experiments were conducted in IDO Local Government Area of Oyo State to evaluate effects of intercropping celosia, Amaranthus and Corchorus on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Cucumber seeds were sown at the rate of one seed per hole and spaced at 0.8 m x 1.0 m resulting in 12,500 plants per hectare while the seeds of celosia, Amaranthus and Corchorus were broadcast on the bed at the rate of 6 kg per hectare. Data were collected on vine length (cm), number of leaves between 2 and 6 weeks after sowing, number of fruits and fruit weight (kg) of cucumber at two major harvests, weed biomass, celosia, Amaranthus and Corchorus biomass yield at 7 Week After Sowing (WAS). The data were subjected to analysis of variance system while significant means were compared using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). The results showed that intercropping Celosia, Amaranthus and Corchorus with Cucumber did not have significant effects on the growth parameters such as the vine length and number of leaves but significantly affected the yield of cucumber in terms of the number of fruits and weight of fruits. The cumulative number and weight of fruits of cucumber intercropped with celosia were significantly lower than that of sole cucumber in the two croppings. The differences in yield among cucumber intercrops with the three vegetables were however not significant. Amaranthus, Corchorus, and Celosia caused 12, 18 and 30% reduction in the number of the fruit of cucumber respectively while the corresponding reduction in fruit yield were 18, 21 and 31%. Celosia appeared to have higher yield reduction effects on the cucumber than other leafy vegetables, thus care must be taken in choosing the associated crops