AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND COMPETITION INDICES IN FONIO-MAIZE INTER-CROP UNDER RAIN-FED CONDITIONS

Abstract

The investigation was to analyze for yield characters and competition indices in fonio-maize intercrop. NCRIACH2 fonio and DMR-SR maize were deployed, inter-cropping arrangement was in eleven proportions, having 10 rows of planting patterns. Higher land productivity and greater resource efficiency through increased yield and crop diversification were generally observed. 1F:1M combination recorded 32% advantage in land productivity, while 3F:1M has 1.55, showing significant land-use efficiency when fonio constitutes 75% of the system. FM 100:100 combination system indicated that maize and fonio can complement each other. 1F:3M system resulted in reduced fonio performance due to maize’s dominance. Relative Crowding coefficient values confirm that maize has higher competitive pressure on fonio than vice versa. 1F:2M and 2F:2M systems could potentially balance for crop yield while optimizing space, nutrients, and water usage. Farmers in rain-fed areas are encouraged to adopt inter-cropping systems, particularly those with a balanced ratio of fonio and maize.