OKRA: A POTENTIAL INTERCROP FOR FARMERS IN NIGERIA

The study is a reviewed work based on a comprehensive compilation of research results from various studies that relates to the performance of okra in intercrop with other classes of crops such as cerea ls, root crops, legumes etc, and across different locations in Nigeria. The stud y pulled together the definitions of intercropping as perceived by differ ent experts in the field of cropping systems, as well as its general benefits, and also gave the economic importance of okra, the potential crop of attention . The reviewed work shows the response of intercropped okra as influenced by factors such as population density, time of planting and intercropping with ot her component crop varieties under varied intercropping systems. The r esults showed that in a soybean-okra mixture, okra sown at the density of 3 3,000 plants ha -1 gave the highest soybean and okra yields, while in a cassava -okra intercropping system, optimum okra plant density was 42,000 plant s ha -1 for highest yields of cassava (19.5 t ha -1 ), okra (1.78 t ha -1 ) and highest total gross monetary returns. Increasing the population density of okra above the optimum in a soybean-okra or cassava-okra intercropping systems, progressively decreased yields of component crops, as well as a reduction i n total monetary returns. Highest tuber and pod yields in a sweet potato-okra intercropping system were obtained when both crops were planted at the same t ime. Tuber and pod yields, however decreased as time of planting okra into sweet potato plots advanced. Similar results were obtained in a maize- okra and soybean-okra intercropping systems. In the intercropping situati on involving okra with other component crop varieties, plant height becomes an i mportant feature, as the taller component intercepts major share of the ligh t, producing greater yield. In all the works reviewed, land equivalent ratio (L ER) values were all above 1.00, indicating yield advantage, as well as the su itability and compatibility of okra as a potential intercrop for farmers in the in tercropping systems.