Green Manure Intercropped with Okra for Spontaneous Plant Suppression

Abstract

Spontaneous plants are biological factors that compromise the yield of vegetables. The hypothesis is that green manure intercropped with okra suppress spontaneous plants and increase the production of this vegetable. The research aimed to evaluate the viability of green manure intercropped with okra to suppress spontaneous plants and increase vegetable productivity. The design was in randomized blocks with four replications and 10 treatments: cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L). Walp.], sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), velvet bean [Mucuna nivea (L.) DC.] and dwarf pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth] intercropping and monoculture with two controls without green manure. The green manure reduced the dry mass of spontaneous plants but did not increase the production of okra. The average values of the equivalent area index (EAI) in all intercropping were higher than one. Green manure is efficient in suppressing spontaneous plants, but to increase the productivity of the okra, adjustments must be made in the green manure-okra intercropping.