Effect of intercropping bambara groundnud (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) and maize (Zea mays L.) on the yield and the yield component in woodland savannahs of Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract The development of simple and profitable crop combinations for increasing crop productivity is one of the ways to improve these systems. A good management system combination to reduce overhead and underground competitions for the resources was the main objective that motivated the conduct of this experiment. Experiments are described in which the possible yield benefits of intercropping bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc)] and maize (Zea mays L.) were determined under dryland conditions in Manfla (Côte d'Ivoire). A replacement series of sole crop bambara groundnut, bambara groundnut and maize (75B/25M), bambara groundnut and maize (50B/50M), bambara groundnut and maize (25B/75M), sole crop maize and the space provision were studied over three years period (2005, 2006 et 2007). The space provision is plant in the same row and plant in the row different. Grain yield advantage due to intercropping was assessed using the Land Equivalent Ratio. The systems of association of cultures were more productive in term of production out of seeds than the pure cultures. Nevertheless, among the farming systems associated, associations in the row different are more productive than associations in the same row. The productivity of the voandzou is more significant with the small proportions of maize. Grain yield of maize is higher when the proportion of maize in the association is higher, however the highest weight of the grains were observed when the proportion of voandzou is higher.