last final thesis of umer

(2006) reported lower number of branches per plant of soybean at the higher plant density. Though
this parameter was not statically significant due to cropping system, the number of branches in
sole was greater (5) than that of intercropping (4.737) of all cowpea varieties. This result is in line
with finding of Agete (2008) on sorghum/forage legume intercropping who reported that the
number of branch per plant was not significantly (p>0.05) affected due to cropping system.
Unlike density and cropping system, number of branches per plant was significantly (p<0.05)
affected by cowpea varieties (Appendix Table 5). The highest number of branches per plant (5.433)
was recorded from Kenketi variety while and the lowest (4.333) was recorded from Bole variety,
however the number of branches per plant from Bole (4.333) and Black eye bean (4.444) varieties
was statically similar (Table 11) . This difference observed on number of branches per plant could
be due to the inherent characteristics or genetic makeup of the varieties. Similar result was reported
by Zerihun (2011) on maize/soybean intercropping who found that number of primary branches
per plant showed significant variation due to effect of soybean varieties and integrated N fertilizer
application.
Leaf Area (cm 2 )
Leaf area was highly significantly (p<0.01) affected by cowpea varieties while the effects of plant
densities and cropping system as well as their interaction did not significantly (p>0.05) affect the
trait (Appendix Table 5). The highest leaf area (60.28 cm 2 ) was recorded from Kenketi variety
while the lowest (35.72 cm 2 ) was recorded from Bole (Table 12). The variation in leaf area
observed due to varieties might be due to the difference in inherent characters of the varieties.
Correspondingly, Mitiku & Getachew (2017) reported significant variation on leaf area of common
been in rice/common bean intercropping due to common bean varieties.
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