Maize Intercropping Systems Improve Nutrient for the Cowpea Crop in Sandy Soils

Abstract

ABSTRACTSandy soils are characterized by their low fertility and low ability to supply nutrients to plants. However, the adoption of agronomic practices, such as the use of intercropping systems, can promote nutrient cycling and improve the production potential of sandy soils. A study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient accumulation and cycling of six maize cropping systems (maize alone and intercropped with cover crops), and to evaluate the nutrition and yield of cowpea crop in the no-till system (NT), grown in succession to maize intercropping systems. The treatments consisted of growing maize alone (monoculture), and five maize intercropping systems: maize + palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha); maize + sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea); maize + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan); maize + palisade grass + sunn hemp; and maize + p-alisade grass + pigeon pea. In the 2016/2017 growing season, dry matter (DM) production, macronutrient accumulation and exportation in maize grains were evaluated. In the 2017/2018 season, DM accumulation, leaf nutrient concentration and grain yield of cowpea crop were measured. Intercropping with cover crops influences maize grain yield, macronutrient contents, and straw dry matter accumulation. The grain yield of cowpea was higher than 600 kg ha–1, due to the benefits of cropping under the crop residues of maize intercropped with cover crops.