Abstract
Weed suppression ability of "egusi" melon (Citrullus lantus Thunbers) and yield of white guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir cv. Suba) under individual, trellis, pyramid, and nonstaking methods were evaluated with or without intercropping with melon. Yam intercropped with melon significantly (P < 0.05) reduced weed growth by about 50% compared with monocropped yam in both years of study, irrespective of the staking method. The individual staking method resulted in a significantly higher (P < 0.05) weed infestation than other treatments with or without intercropping in 1989, whereas in 1990 the level of weed growth in intercropped pyramidally staked yam was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that of the trellis-staking method. Pyramidal staking in 1989 resulted in a significantly lower (P < 0.05) yam yield than all other treatments in non-intercropped plots; however, yield from intercropped individual and trellis treatments were both significantly greater (P < 0.05) than those not staked. Staking methods and intercropping in 1990 did not significantly affect yield.
