Intercropping and crop rotations in cassava cultivation: a production systems approach

Publication date: 12/07/2017
Extent: 20 pages

Contributions by: Thomas W. Kuyper, Wageningen University, The Netherlands; and Samuel Adjei-Nsiah, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ghana

Chapter synopsis: Cassava does not have a specific and determined maturity period and it can therefore be harvested over a range of ages, depending on cropping system and socio-economic conditions. This chapter reviews current knowledge on mixed cropping systems (both intercropping and crop rotations) in which cassava plays a prominent roule. It discusses the yield benefits of such mixed cropping and evaluates mechanisms that have been proposed to explain superior yields from such systems. The chapter also describes the functional traits of different cassava varieties that are likely to explain why cassava performs well in intercropping. Finally, the chapter addresses the future outlook for intercropping in cassava cultivation and suggests future trends in research.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2016.0014.26