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Plant your egusi one metre by one metre in and between the row on all the farm space. Then plant your maize in one line on one line off in the egusi farm.
Yes. This is beautifully and self explanatory you can thank me for.
* can one intercrop melon and okro using this same spacing?
No, melon will cover it up.
The arrangements has been gvn me good results over 25 years even with cassava . I call my own 3 in 1 = Melon/Maize/Cassava, lol.
* Can one still plant egusi by now considering the fact that we have entered raining season proper?
Yes. Egusi ojo wa!!. There is egusi for raining season. Ask from the market but test plant to assure of sprouting before proper planting. One foot apart for maize. Plant egusi in between the one foot space of eat maize plant.
However, some farmers does theirs 18.5 inches apart which is more than 1.5 feet, because the space between egusi is 1 metre.
Well, that's not how I plant mine and it has been working for me over some years now. I do practical agriculture and book agriculture. Please plant both melon and maize in one place and one metre apart.
True is, I know the way I does mine it isn't a really good agricultural practice (GAP), this method is used by our local farmers that do more of subsistence farming. It might be working but d yield won't be as much as when you practice GAP.
FAQs
1. What is inter-planting of melon (egusi) and maize?
Inter-planting refers to growing two or more crops together in the same field to maximize land use and yield.
2. Why should I inter-plant melon (egusi) and maize?
Inter-planting melon (egusi) and maize can improve soil fertility, reduce weeds, and increase overall farm productivity by utilizing space much more better.
3. What is the ideal spacing between melon (egusi) and maize plants?
A common spacing practice is to plant maize rows 75-90 cm apart and then plant melon (egusi) seeds in between the maize rows, about 30-45 cm apart within the rows.
4. How does inter-planting affect the growth of melon (egusi) and maize?
Inter-planting allows both crops to benefit from shared resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients, promoting healthier growth and potentially higher yields.
5. Do melon (egusi) and maize require different nutrients or care when inter-planted?
Yes, maize is a heavy feeder and may require additional nitrogen fertilizer compared to melon (egusi), which benefits from well-drained soil and moderate watering.
6. What are the advantages of inter-planting melon (egusi) and maize?
Advantages include maximizing land use, diversifying farm income, reducing pest and disease pressure, and improving soil health through crop rotation benefits.