Effect of Plant Population Densities on the Growth ofZea maysL. andArachis hypogaeaL. in Intercropping Systems

A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of plant population densities on the performance of short-duration genotypes of maize (Zea mays cv. TZESR-W-1) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea cv. Valencia Mixed Red of Loudima) respectively in two simultaneous planting intercropping systems and as a monoculture. The six treatments were: sole maize; sole groundnut; sole maize fertilized with 100 kg N/ha; mixed crops of maize and groundnut at 1:4; 1:8 and 1:12 ratios respectively. Nodulation of groundnut, crude protein, cellulose and ear yield of maize were maximum in mixed crops at the 1:4 ratio. In contrast, intercropping maize and groundnut reduced dry matter and grain yields of both crops. The only exception was observed on nodule number and seed/pod yield ratio of groundnut, plant height, dry matter and grain yield of maize, where no differences were noted between monocropped and intercropped systems under farming conditions.