Authors : K. Okunomo , E.C. Orji and G.U. Nnaji
Abstract: A study on the effect of species density of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) on maize performance was carried out at the teaching and Research Farm of Delta State University, Asaba Campus. Seedlings of D. edulis initially raised in the nursery were planted out in various inter hedgerow treatments as follows: (i) 4 m interrow x 0.5 m intrarow (ii) 4 m interrow x 1.0 m (interarow) and (iii) 4 m interrow and 1.5 m intrarow and (iv) Control treatment (without hedgerows). The parameters assessed were maize heights, collar diameter, leaf, number leaf area, cobs/stem and size per cob and grain yield. The result showed an insignificant difference in maize yield in the first year. The maize yield values recorded range from 2.908 t ha 1 to 3.124 t ha 1 in the first year. The grain yield in the second year was significantly better in the hedgerow treatments than the control. The results of other parameters assessed followed the same trend. It was however observed that maize productivity was negligible due to the inability of this species to fix nitrogen.
K. Okunomo , E.C. Orji and G.U. Nnaji , 2007. Effect of Species Density of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) on Maize Performance in an Agroforestry Environment. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 2: 51-53.