ZERO TILLAGE AND INTERCROPPING ON A TROPICAL ALFISOL II RESPONSES OF INTERCROPPED MAIZE AND MELON

Abstract

Two years or no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT)' affected the physical properties or an Alfisol in Western Niger. probability level, leaf area, plant height and root density were higher under CT than NT in the first year? Maize grain yield was considerably improved during the second year of the experiment under NT. Intercropping in both tillage treatments reduced the yield of melon but significantly improved maize yield. The advantage of high available soil water under NT was offset by poorer root development which resulted in lower but insignificant leaf water potenti21 when compared with CT. It appears that for good yield of intercropped maize with melon, reduced tillage which is CT with one of the operations of tillage on-tilted. may be necessary at the early stage of fallow soil cultivation.