Intercropping Morphologically Different Types of Maize with Cowpeas: LER and Growth Attributes of Associated Cowpeas

Abstract

SUMMARY Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) and cowpea growth attributes were used to evaluate three different maize cultivars for intercropping with cowpea, a low canopy crop. The relatively short maize cultivar (Kewesoke) with erect upper leaves transmitted the most light to cowpeas, followed by a liguleless erect-leaf type and then a floppy-leaf type. The more the transmitted light, the greater were the growth and yields of associated cowpeas.