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Abstract
Field experiments were conducted at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria to evaluate the changes in crop microenvironment, growth and yield performance of intercropping okra, pepper and pumpkin with cassava. The vegetables were planted sole and in mixtures with three cassava cultivars: Idileru, Odongbo and TMS30572. Intercropping reduced weed dry weight and soil temperature but increased soil moisture content, light interception and number of earthworm casts. Cassava/pumpkin intercrop increased soil moisture content, light interception and number of earthworm casts but reduced soil temperatures and weed dry weight compared with cassava/okra and cassava/pepper intercrops. Vegetative characters and fruit yields of okra, pepper and pumpkin were not affected by intercropping. Leaf area index (LAI) of intercropped cassava with pumpkin was reduced but not with okra and pepper. Land equivalent ratio was higher in cassava/okra and cassava/pepper than in cassava/pumpkin intercrop. Cassava/vegetable intercrop is a viable cropping option for high productivity and provision of suitable microenvironment for growth. A short, early-maturing cassava cultivar with a moderate LAI is better adapted in mixture with vegetables.