PERFORMANCE OF IMPROVED MAIZE CULTIVAR AS INFLUENCED BY COMPOST RATES AND POPULATION DENSITIES OF SWEET POTATO IN MAIZE/SWEET POTATO INTERCROP IN THE RAINFOREST-SAVANNAH ZONE OF NIGERIA

The study was carried out between May and August, 2010 at the Teaching and Research farm of University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Ogun State, located in the Forest-Savannah Agro-ecological zone. The experimental design was Randomized Completely Blocked Design, with four improved maize cultivars (2004-TZE-Y-POP-DT-STR-C4, 2004-TZE-W-POP-DT-STR-C4 2008-DTMA-Y-STR, 2008-DTMA-W-STR), sweet potato variety TIS, with two populations (0.7Sm x O.SOm, 0.7Sm x 1m) and three rates of commercially available Alesinloye Asejire compost (2.S tons ha1 , 5.0 tons ha1 and 7tons ha1 , with a plot size of 20m2 ) . The growth and reproductive responses of maize to compost rates and sweet potato components were investigated. The study indicated a significant variation in stem girth and cob length in response to varietal differences. Compost rate at 2.S tons ha1 elicited the highest significant response  p<O.OS on cob length with an average value of 4.49cm, while at 5.0 tons ha1 it produced least effect on cob length. However, 2008-DTMA-W-STR had significantly lowest days-SO%-tasselling, SO.17days. (p<0.005)  Comparative evaluation among examined varieties of maize indicated that 2008- DTMA - Y -STR and 2004- TZE- Y- POPDT-STR-C4 recorded the longest significant cob length with the least significant stem diameter, while 2008- DTMA- Y -STR had the longest significant days- to- SO% tasselling, with the least significant Anthesis-Silking Interval, (ASI). Variety 2008-DTMA- Y-STR displayed a promising adaptive capability and productivity. Comparatively, Nitrogen content in the plant tissue significantly contributed to maize grain yield