A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of
Master’s in Life Sciences of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and
Technology
This study was conducted to evaluate the yield and economic viability of intercropping Jute
mallow with different cereal crop combinations so that farmers can maximize land use and
crop resources for improved crop productivity, nutrition and income. Field experiments in a
randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications were conducted at Dodoma
and Arusha. Results indicated that growth parameters of Jute mallow (such as plant height,
number of branches and number of leaves) were not affected (p=0.05) when intercropped with
either Sorghum or Finger millet. Jute mallow intercropped with Maize suppressed growth and
yield performance of Jute mallow, for instance in plant height from 73.69 cm to 44.59 cm and
fresh leaf yield from 41.75 g to 30.48 g. Fresh leaf yield of sole Jute mallow (41.75 g) did not
significantly (p=0.05) differ from Jute mallow with Sorghum (39.92 g) and Finger millet
(37.89 g) intercrops at p=0.05. Yield performance of intercropped cereals decreased (p=0.05)
with intercropping. Nutritional content was high (p=0.05) in intercropped Jute mallow
combinations than its sole stand in crude protein, potassium, nitrogen and calcium but
decreased vitamin C levels with intercropping. The highest Marginal Rate of Return of 4.76
and 4.69 was from Jute mallow intercropped with Maize and with Sorghum in Arusha and
Dodoma respectively. Jute mallow-Sorghum intercrop had the highest Land Equivalent Ratio
of 1.7 in Dodoma and 1.53 in Arusha. This study recommends Jute mallow as a viable intercrop
with cereal especially Sorghum and Maize in Dodoma and Arusha respectively.