Abstract

Field trials were conducted in the forest vegetation (Ibadan) and the derived savannah (Ilora) zones of south west Nigeria to assess the yield performance of cassava/maize intercrop and soil nutrient changes with sole and some combined ratios of organic-based fertilizer (OBF) and inorganic fertilizer. Sole OBF was assessed at 2.5; 5.0 and 10.0 t ha^-1 while 400 kg ha^-1 NPK 15-15-15 served as the sole inorganic fertilizer treatment. The combined treatments were: 2.5 t ha^-1 OBF + 100 kg ha^-1 NPK 15-15-15 and 5 t ha^-1 OBF + 100 kg ha^-1 NPK 15-15-15. An unfertilized treatment served as the control treatment. Maize grain yield was highest with application of 5 t ha^-1 OBF + 100 kg ha^-1 NPK. It gave a mean yield of 2.45 t ha ^-1 at Ibadan and 2.49 t ha^-1 at Ilora. Cassava root yield was however highest with 10 t ha^-1 OBF. It gave a mean yield of 14.55 t ha^-1 at Ibadan and 12.52 t ha^-1 at Ilora. Soil N, P, K and Organic C was most increased with 10 t ha^-1 OBF and 5 t ha^-1 OBF+NPK. Crop yields and soil nutrient status decreased with no fertilizer application. Cassava –maize intercrop gives optimum yields and highest soil N, P, K increase with 10 t ha^-1 OBF.

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