Field experiments were carried out during 2005/2006 growing season at three localities to assess effects of planting density and planting patterns on crop growth, maize stover nutrient concentration and residual soil nutrient content in maize/cowpea sole and intercropped systems. The trial consisted of four maize planting densities and six planting patterns. Higher plant density of 30 000 and 40 000 maize plants ha -1 delayed flowering and maturity of both component crops in sole and intercropped systems. Maize dry matter production increased with increasing plant density up to 30 0000 plants ha -1 and reduced at higher density of 40 000 plants ha -1, whereas cowpea dry matter production decreased with increasing plant density in intercropping but this was the opposite in sole cropping. The 1rowM:2rowsC pattern and plant density of 30 000 plants ha -1 with 92 000 plants ha -1 of cowpeas was superior in maize dry matter production at all trial sites, whereas sole cowpea at 40 000 plants ha -1 gave the highest dry matter yield than the intercrop. The 2rowsM:4rowsC arrangement had the tallest cowpea plants than all other planting patterns, while the 1rowM:1rowC arrangement had the shortest at all locations throughout the sampling dates.
