Evaluation of productivity traits of five pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) varieties in pigeonpea-maize strip intercropping under rainfed condition in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Mixed intercropping is the common cropping system practiced in Limpopo Province. In this practice, crops are planted by broadcasting without any definite row arrangement. This practice is easy and cost-saving to farmers but not productive in that the planting density is low and it does not permit free movement and application of farm inputs. The system is also unproductive because it guarantees low yield and poor return on investment. However, there is a novel cropping system that is worthy of being tested in the drought prone area of Limpopo and this is system is Strip intercropping. In strip intercropping crops are planted with definite row arrangement which reduces inter-species competition, optimizes plant population, and increases crop yield. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity traits of five improved pigeonpea varieties under a pigeonpea-maize strip intercropping system in comparison with mixed intercropping system. The study was conducted during cropping seasons of 2016–18 at Ga-Thaba, South Africa using five pigeonpea varieties (ICEAP 001284, ICEAP 00604, ICEAP 87091, ICEAP 00661 and ICEAP 01101-2) and maize. The experiment was laid using split-plot design with three replicates during two seasons (Year 1 and Year 2). Agronomic traits measured include days to flowering, maturity, plant height, number of pods per plant, grain and land equivalent ratio (LER). Results indicate that significant interactions were obtained between the pigeonpea varieties and the cropping systems in most of the traits or variables measured. Pigeonpea sown in the strip intercropping achieved greater performance in terms of early maturity, grain yield and land equivalent ratio as compared to those sown in mixed intercropping. The LER mean values of strip intercropping were double and triple folds during Year 1 and Year 2, respectively over the mixed intercropping. ICEAP 001284 and ICEAP 01101-2 exhibited more consistent grain yield during both two seasons and are therefore recommended for registration and commercialization. Strip intercropping is more productive cropping system than the mixed intercropping and is therefore recommended for adoption by farmers as a cropping practice in Limpopo Province.