EFFECTS OF MAIZE/CASSAVA/FOOD LEGUME MIXTURES ON SOIL NUTRIENT STATUS AND WEED CONTROL

Studies on the effects of Maize/Cassava/Food legume mixture on soil nutrient status and weed control was conducted at the teaching and research farm of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria from April 1996 to April 1997. Maize/Cassava were the base crops and were variously combined with some food legumes-Cowpear groundnut and African yam bean. The combination of the base crops and legumes generally increased Soil phosphorus (P), Soil organic matter (OM) and Soil PH while Soil nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) were reduced. Soil magnesium (Mg) generally declined except in the mixture of the base crops and African yam bean. Whereas Soil Calcuim (Ca) generally increased except in treatments involving groundnut. The efficacy of the Crop combination in weed suppression increased as the number of crops involved in the combination increased