Plant competition and productivity under maize and sweet potato intercropping system

An experiment was conducted to assess plant competition and intercrop efficiency in maize and sweet potato intercropping under different levels of planting systems and plant density. Three planting systems of maize (standard, pair rows and square) and four plant densities (25, 50, 75 and 100%) of maize and sweet potato were assigned in a split plot design, Planting system of maize and plant densities of component crops did not interact significantly in any measurement of intercropping systems. Although different planting systems of maize did not affect on maize grain yield but pair rows planting system of maize contributed the highest root yield (18.04t ha(-1)) of sweet potato, land advantage and economic return. In response to plant density, yield of both intercropped maize and sweet potato increased with the increase of their respective densities but sweet potato yield was more adversely affected by the increased densities of maize. Under intercropped condition, 25: 100 maize/sweet potato density provided the highest tuberous root yield (24.37 t ha(-1)) of sweet potato. Competitive ratios for maize were consistently higher than the ratios obtained for sweet potato but it was compatible in 50: 100 maize/sweet potato density. Furthermore, the highest LER (1.21), highest equivalent yields of maize (6.25 t ha(-1)) and sweet potato (33.09 t ha(-1)) and highest monetary return ( $ 625 ha(-1)) in 50: 100 maize/sweet potato density indicated that this intercropping system was most efficient and economic.