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Intercropping Sorghum with Cowpea in Dryland Farming Systems in Botswana. II. Comparative Stability of Alternative Cropping Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

C. W. F. Lightfoot ,
K. B. G. Dear  and
R. Mead
C. W. F. Lightfoot
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Research, PB 003, Gaborone, Botswana
K. B. G. Dear
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Research, PB 003, Gaborone, Botswana
R. Mead
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Statistics, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 217, Reading RG6 2AN, England
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Summary

The comparative stability of sorghum–cowpea intercropping and monocropping was assessed by determination of variances, regression against an environmental index, and probability of failure to achieve minimum levels of gross income. Significant differences between the cropping systems were not detected in any of the assessments though intercropping did have a lower probability of failure at the income levels for which risk was more than minimal. The failure of intercropping to show clearly greater stability in this study in which the environmental conditions were harsh provides a conflict with the conventional view.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 23 , Issue 4 , October 1987 , pp. 435 - 442
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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