Abstract
Field experiments were conducted (2009, 2010, 2011) at the Teaching and Research Farmland of the University of Benin to determine the effectof seven ratios (1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 1:2 and 1:3) of maize-egusi melon intercrop under four (0, 200, 400, 600 kg/ha) and six (0, 200, 400, 800, 1000 kg/ ha) levels of NPK fertilizers on some soil properties of an utilsol in Benin City, Nigeria. The results of the soils physico-chemical properties prior to planting and after harvesting of maize and egusi-melon showed significant differences (p<0.05, 0.001) in the various ratios of maize-egusi melon and NPK 20:10:10 fertilizers. Though not significant, soil pH was lower under the various cropping ratios of maize-egusi melon and NPK 20:10:10 fertilizers than the value prior to planting. In contrast, % C, N and P were significantly increased in all the experiments after harvesting of maize and egusi melon. Significant increases in K, Ca and Mg contents were obtained due to cropping ratios and NPK fertilizer application generally in the experiments. Sole and intercropped plots of maize and egusi melon before planting and after harvest were characterized of dominance by sand but with significantly enhanced amounts of silt and clay by various cropping ratios and NPK fertilizers indicating stable soil texture.
Keywords:
determination
colocynthis
properties
influenced
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