A study was conducted in 1995/96 to 1997/98 cropping seasons at Epemakinde, a rainforest area of
southwestern Nigeria to assess the effects of different tillage practices viz: conventional (CT), minimum (MT),
traditional (TT) and zero (ZT) on the yields, cost of production and economic returns to management of maize (Zea
mays) /cassava (Manihot esculenta) intercrop. A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used.
Results showed that grain yield only differed significantly in 1998 with CT and ZT being lower than both MT and
TT by 2 and 25%, respectively. Average of maize across the three years indicated that TT (3.15 t/ha) significantly
out yielded both CT and ZT by 16%. Cassava fresh root yield differed significantly in 1998 with TT (44.72 t/ha)
producing higher than other tillage practices by 2-24% while MT (40.60 t/ha) yielded higher than others by 3-19%
in 1998 cropping season. The CT and MT treatments had the highest cost of production and economic returns and
superseded ZT by 21% and 8%, respectively. This study has demonstrated the necessity of some level of tillage
with MT treatment being the most desirable.