Studies on intercropping with silk cotton trees (Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.)

Abstract

Seven crops which included six field crops (sorghum, field bean, cowpea, sesame, sunflower, cotton) and a fodder grass were raised twice every year for three consecutive years in the interspaces of seedling silk cotton trees planted at a spacing of 8 x 8 m. Row-wise assessment of crop yields indicated no yield impairment due to the proximity of the trees. Semi-annual growth rate of the trees was also not affected by intercropping during the first six months. During the next six months, cotton enhanced the tree height growth rate; but fodder grass completely inhibited the sapling growth. Tree growth was uninfluenced subsequently.