GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSES OF ROSELLE (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) AND MAIZE (Zea mays L.) TO INTERCROPPING UNDER DIFFERENTIAL SPACING REGIMES
Keywords:
Agronomic performance, Hibiscus sabdariffa, mixed cropping, planting distance, Zea maysAbstract
Understanding the adaptability of roselle with maize under intercropping, can enhance roselle’s integration into maize-based cropping systems. Considering the crucial influence of plant spacing on intercrop performance, this study evaluated the agronomic performance of four roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) accessions intercropped with maize under two roselle spacing regimes (1 × 1 m and 0.75 × 0.75 m). Sole stands of each crop were also established for comparison. The experiment was laid out in a split–split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter, were measured biweekly from 4 weeks after sowing (WAS) to 10 WAS for maize and 12 WAS for roselle. Data on yield and yield components were collected at harvest, and all data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at α0.05. The roselle accessions varied significantly only for fresh and dry calyx yield (t/ha), ranging from 2.95 (V12R3) to 4.37 (V10R2) and 0.14 (V12R3) to 0.48 (V32R2), respectively. Closer spacing (0.75 × 0.75 m) significantly increased roselle calyx yield, whereas wider spacing (1 × 1 m) enhanced maize vegetative growth. Intercropping significantly improved roselle number of leaves, fresh calyx yield, as well as maize grain yield, although statistically longer and broader maize stem were observed under sole cropping. The results indicated that the roselle accessions are well adapted for intercropping with maize. This cropping system can improve yields, but optimal results depend on spacing and accession selection. Therefore, selection should be aligned with the production goals.
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