Maize-legume Intercropping Research Articles

Agronomic and economic performance of legume-legume and cereal-legume intercropping systems in Northern Tanzania

CONTEXTCereal-legume intercropping, a common practice among farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), is important for crop diversification, soil fertility improvement, household nutrition and climate adaptation. However, cereals often outcompete the intercropped legumes for growth resources resulting in low legume yields. OBJECTIVEThe objectives of this study were: i) assessing the effects of different intercropping options (crop spatial configurations) and maize crop (Zea mays L.) management innovations on productivity and economic benefits to farmers and ii) examining how farmers adapt new intercropping technologies to meet their household food security needs. METHODSThe study was undertaken in six on-farm researcher-designed and managed trials in high and low rainfall agro-ecological zones of Babati District in Tanzania, during four cropping seasons (2018–2021). The cropping systems tested included a sole maize system rotated with a legume-legume intercrop (Doubled-up legume), an innovation involving two maize rows intercropped with two legume species (Mbili-Mbili), maize-legume intercrop both with and without de-topping, maize-legume intercrop (2 maize plants at 50 cm intra-space, de-topped), maize-legume system (maize with vertical leaf architecture) and a farmer practice. The Mbili-Mbili technology adaptation assessment was conducted on 225 farmers during the 2021 cropping season. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOverall, maize grain yields increased by up to 56% in improved compared to farmer intercropping practices (P ≤ 0.05). There were no significant differences in maize grain yield among the improved practices. Significantly higher pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) yields of between 71% and 113% in 2020 and between 65% and 140% in 2021 were observed under Doubled-up legume and between 63% and 124% under local farmer practices in 2020 than in the improved cereal-legume practices. Across the study period, net revenues of sole maize and Doubled-up legume rotations were both the highest and lowest relative to other intercropping options, depending on the starting phase (US$ 653 sole maize and US$ 326 legume phase starting). These were also associated with the highest variances indicating instability. Mbili-Mbili intercropping system had not only high net revenue i.e., a mean of US$623 per hectare, but also more stable. Farmers perceived that Mbili-Mbili increased food security and 96% were willing to implement the system without project support. SIGNIFICANCEMbili-Mbili is recommended for adoption by farmers because of its potential economic benefits, food security and resilience in the current unpredictable weather and climate patterns.

Forage yield, nutritional value, soil chemical composition, and soil microbial abundance under maize–legume intercropping systems in a paddy field

Forage yield, nutritional value, soil chemical composition, and soil microbial abundance under maize–legume intercropping systems in a paddy field

Data-Driven Artificial Intelligence (AI) Algorithms for Modelling Potential Maize Yield under Maize–Legume Farming Systems in East Africa

Agroecological farming systems such as maize–legume intercropping (MLI) and push-pull technology (PPT) have been introduced to mitigate losses from pests. Nevertheless, the regionwide maize yield gained from practicing such farming systems remains largely unknown. This study compares the performance of two uncomplex and interpretable models, namely the hybrid fuzzy-logic combined with the genetic algorithm and symbolic regression, to predict maize yield. Specifically, the study adopted the best-fitting model to map the potential maize yield under MLI and PPT compared to the monocropping system in East Africa using climatic and edaphic variables. The best model, i.e., the symbolic regression model, accurately fitted the maize yield data as indicated by the low root mean square error (RMSE < 0.09) and the higher R2 (>0.9). The study estimated that East African farmers would increase their annual maize yield by about 1.01 and 1.96 rates under MLI and PPT, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed a fairly good modelling performance as indicated by low standard deviations (range of 0.70–1.1) and skewness (absolute range of 0.03–0.09) values. The study guides the upscaling of MLI and PPT systems through awareness creation and public-private partnerships to ensure increased adoption of these sustainable farming practices.

Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays) as Influenced by Intercropping of French Bean and Soybean

Background: The intercropping of maize with legumes is beneficial in multifaceted aspects. Advantages of maize-legume intercropping is pronounced in the form of higher yield and greater utilization of available resources, benefits in weeds, pests and disease management, fixation of biological nitrogen by legumes and transfer of nitrogen to associated maize and control of erosion by covering a large extent of ground area. The current investigation aimed to study the effect of maize-French bean and maize-soybean intercropping on growth and yield of maize under rainfed condition of Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh. Methods: The field experiment was conducted during 2021 in randomized block design consisting of 3 treatments i.e. T1- sole maize, T2- maize + French bean and T3- maize + soybean with four replications. Observations on growth and yield parameters and yield of maize were recorded on harvesting of the crop. The results were analysed using standard statistical procedures of ANOVA. Result: In maize + French bean and maize + soybean intercropping, the growth and yield parameters as well as yield of maize was higher in maize + soybean intercropping as compared to maize + French bean system. The grain yield of maize under maize + soybean intercropping was 5541.67 kg ha-1. From this study, it can be concluded that the intercropping of maize with soybean would be profitable due to higher yield of maize (2 rows of maize and 2 rows of soybean) under farmer’s field condition of Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Immediate and residual-effects of sole and intercropped grain legumes in maize production systems under rain-fed conditions of Northern Tanzania

Intercropping of maize with grain-legume crops predominates on smallholder farms in East Africa. However, the growth and development of crops and their interaction with fertilizer in intercropping systems are not well understood. We sought to answer the questions: (i) what are the effects of fertilizer on the growth and development of maize-pigeonpea and maize-lablab intercropping systems under variable agroecological conditions? (ii) what are the residual effects of two seasons of sole and intercrops of maize, pigeonpea and lablab on a succeeding maize crop? We studied pure stands of maize, long-duration pigeonpea, medium-duration pigeonpea and lablab, and additive intercropping combinations on eight farms in Babati, Tanzania. The intercropping combinations studied were: maize with long-duration pigeonpea, maize with medium-duration pigeonpea and maize with lablab. Three fertilizer levels were applied: no fertilizer; 40 kg P ha −1 ; and 90 kg N ha −1 + 40 kg P ha −1 . The P was applied at planting in the form of triple superphosphate to both maize and legumes, thus in intercrops the 40 kg P ha −1 was shared between maize and legume. The N was spot-applied in the form of urea in three equal splits, only on maize. The trials were implemented for two consecutive cropping seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019), without changing treatments and plot locations. To evaluate the residual effect of grain legumes, we planted a sole crop of maize in the third season (2019/2020) in all plots, with no addition of fertilizer. Maize and pigeonpea were sown simultaneously, while lablab was relay-planted one month after maize. Maize dry matter (DM) and grain yield were not significantly affected by the presence of legumes, but were about twice as large in 2017/2018 as in 2018/2019 season, likely due to the considerably higher rainfall in the 2017/2018 season. Legume productivity was more consistent across the two seasons. Legume crops in the intercrops produced significantly less DM and grain yield than in their respective pure stands, but maize yield did not differ significantly between sole and intercrops. The productivity of maize was significantly increased by N fertilization, but the legumes responded positively only to P fertilizer in the 2017/2018 season. Land-equivalent and area-time-equivalent ratios of intercropping systems were consistently greater than one. The DM and grain yield of maize following two seasons of legumes was consistently larger than in plots where maize was grown continuously. The P-fertilizer applied in the preceding seasons had significant residual effects on the yield of the succeeding maize crop. The temporal niche complementarity of pigeonpea and lablab with maize minimized competition in the intercrops, although intercrops are clearly more demanding in labor at planting and harvest. Overall, our results showed the superior performance of maize-legume intercropping over sole maize, both in terms of additional grain yield within a season and the residual effects in the succeeding season. We did not observe biotic constraints in the succeeding maize crop. Maize-legume intercropping with fertilizer application was effective in enhancing the productivity of smallholder cropping systems.

Effect of Maize–Legume Intercropping on Maize Physio-Agronomic Parameters and Beneficial Insect Abundance

In developing countries, intercropping is commonly used to boost land productivity and agricultural benefits. However, in the Yucatan region of Mexico, maize (Zea mays L.) yields remain low, despite consistent fertilizer and pesticide inputs in traditional intercropping systems. Furthermore, little is known about the photosynthetic mechanisms that occur when maize plants interact with legumes, and there is a lack of understanding of how intercropping systems affect other organisms in the system, such as beneficial and insect pest population dynamics. A field experiment was carried out on the Yucatan Peninsula in 2021 to assess the impact of maize–legume intercropping systems on maize yield, physiological characteristics as evaluated by gas exchange measurements, and the abundance of beneficial insects in traditional and novel maize intercropping systems. The experiment was carried out with a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatments included maize intercropped with a novel legume, crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.), maize intercropped with a traditional legume, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), and sole maize as a control. Significant differences in plant height were shown at growth stages V12 (45 days after sowing) and VT (60 days after sowing). No differences were observed in stem diameter, leaf area index, or chlorophyll content. The maize/cowpea intercrop increased the photosynthesis rate by 12.9% and 9.84% in the maize/crotalaria and sole maize, respectively (p < 0.001), and transpiration rate by 6.5% and 8.5% in the maize intercropped with crotalaria and sole maize treatments, respectively (p < 0.001), of maize plants. No significant effects on stomatal conductance or water use efficiency were observed, but the carbon intercellular rate was reduced by 9.74% and 9.15 when compared to the maize/crotalaria and the sole maize treatments, respectively. Overall, intercropping treatments attracted more beneficial insects than sole maize. For predators, the families that stood out were Coccinelidae, Formicidae, Araneidae, Thomisidae, Syrphidae, Chrysomelidae, Oxypidae, Vespidae, Reduviidae, Carabidae, Asilidae, Salthicidae, Dolichopodidae, while among parasitoids, the most frequent families were Eurytomydae, Braconidae, Tachinidae, Pteromalidae, Scelionidae, and Figitidae. In comparison to the maize/cowpea and maize/crotalaria treatments, the sole maize treatment resulted in a grain yield increase of 24.5% and 32%, respectively. However, sole maize was not statistically different to that of maize/cowpea intercropping. In conclusion, our findings suggest that maize/cowpea intercropping could be a viable alternative to sole maize cropping systems for enhancing maize yield and the abundance of beneficial insects, without increasing interspecific competition with the maize crop. Therefore, the maize/cowpea intercropping system represents a sustainable planting alternative for promoting maize grain yield and also promoting edible legume production within the system. Furthermore, the outcomes of this study can serve as a theoretical framework for increasing maize–legume intercropping profitability under growing conditions on the Yucatan Peninsula.

The role of nitrogen fixation and crop N dynamics on performance and legacy effects of maize-grain legumes intercrops on smallholder farms in Tanzania

Maize-grain legume intercrops form an important component of the cropping systems of smallholder farmers in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. However, the effects of cropping system and fertilizer use on nitrogen fixation and nitrogen uptake of component crops in maize-legume intercrops are not well understood. Our study addressed the questions: (i) What is the capacity of pigeonpea and lablab to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) in sole crop and when intercropped with maize on smallholder farms across different agro-ecological conditions?; (ii) How does productivity and N-uptake by sole and intercropped maize and legumes respond to N and P fertilizer?; and (iii) What are the residual effects of the sole crops, intercrops and fertilizer treatments on the productivity of a succeeding maize crop? We studied additive intercropping systems on eight farms in Babati, Tanzania: maize-long duration pigeonpea, maize-medium duration pigeonpea and maize-lablab, with separate sole crops, at three fertilizer rates: no fertilizer; 40 kg P ha−1; and 90 kg N ha−1 + 40 kg P ha−1. Whereas P fertilizer was applied on maize and the legumes, the N fertilizer was only applied on maize. Maize and pigeonpea were sown simultaneously, while lablab was relay-planted one month later. N2-fixation was quantified using the 15N natural abundance method. N2-fixation differed among the legume species. Sole long-duration pigeonpea fixed significantly more N2 (20–63 kg ha−1 more) than all other cropping systems, corresponding to the greater shoot dry matter and N yield of this system. The combined N uptake of maize and legume in intercrops was consistently larger than that of sole maize or the legume. Application of fertilizer resulted in enhanced N uptake both in the current season (up to 40 kg N ha−1 more) and in a succeeding maize crop (up to 71 kg N ha−1 more). We observed positive associations between grain yield, dry matter production and total N uptake of a succeeding maize crop, and the N-fixed by legume species in the preceding season. Each kg of legume shoot N yield was associated with up to 14 kg ha−1 extra grain yield, 29 kg ha−1 extra dry matter and 0.5 kg ha−1 extra total N uptake of the succeeding maize crop. Our results show that maize-legume intercrops enhance N-uptake. Furthermore, N2-fixation by sole or intercropped legumes confers strong residual benefits on productivity of a succeeding maize crop.

Short-Term Effects of Tillage Systems, Fertilization, and Cropping Patterns on Soil Chemical Properties and Maize Yields in a Loamy Sand Soil in Southern Mozambique

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) agriculture is characterized by dependence on erratic rainfall, inadequate conservation practices, and a decline in soil fertility resulting in low crop productivity. Therefore, conservation agriculture (CA) has been proposed as an alternative to improve soil fertility and productivity. Hence the aim was to investigate the effects of tillage systems, fertilization, and cropping patterns on selected soil chemical properties (pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, extractable phosphorus, exchangeable cations, and cation exchange capacity) and identify which cropping pattern maximizes stover and grain maize–legume productivity and land use. A two-year (2016/17–2017/18) field experiment in a loamy sand soil was conducted at Nhacoongo Research Station, southern Mozambique. Two tillage systems (conservation (CA) and conventional tillage (CT)), two fertilization treatments (fertilized and unfertilized), and seven cropping patterns (four sole crops and three maize–legume intercrops) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with split–split plot arrangement and replicated four times. CA practices resulted in significantly higher soil chemical properties and increased stover and grain yields as compared to CT practices, but fertilization demonstrated insignificant effects on soil chemical properties and significant influences on stover and grain yield of maize and legumes. Cropping patterns induced no significant effect on soil chemical properties and either stover or grain yield. Estimated indices like land equivalent ratio (1.18–2.67) and competitive ratio index (0.01–1.72) confirmed the advantage of intercropping against sole cropping. This is largely supported by the estimated values of aggressivity and relative crowding coefficient. Smallholder farmers can therefore benefit by adopting CA.

Maize–legume intercropping promote N uptake through changing the root spatial distribution, legume nodulation capacity, and soil N availability

Legume cultivars affect N uptake, component crop growth, and soil physical and chemical characteristics in maize–legume intercropping systems. However, how belowground interactions mediate root growth, N fixation, and nodulation of different legumes to affect N uptake is still unclear. Hence, a two-year experiment was conducted with five planting patterns, i.e., maize–soybean strip intercropping (IMS), maize–peanut strip intercropping (IMP), and corresponding monocultures (monoculture maize (MM), monoculture soybean (MS), and monoculture peanut (MP)), and two N application rates, i.e., no N fertilizer (N–) and conventional N fertilizer (N+), to examine relationships between N uptake and root distribution of crops, legume nodulation and soil N availability. Results showed that the averaged N uptake per unit area of intercrops was significantly lower than the corresponding monocultures. Compared with the monoculture system, the N uptake of the intercropping systems increased by 31.7–45.4% in IMS and by 7.4–12.2% in IMP, respectively. The N uptake per plant of intercropped maize and soybean significantly increased by 61.6 and 31.8%, and that of intercropped peanuts significantly decreased by 46.6% compared with the corresponding monocultures. Maize and soybean showed asymmetrical distribution of roots in strip intercropping systems. The root length density (RLD) and root surface area density (RSAD) of intercropped maize and soybean were significantly greater than that of the corresponding monocultures. The roots of intercropped peanuts were confined, which resulted in decreased RLD and RSAD compared with the monoculture. The nodule number and nodule fresh weight of soybean were significantly greater in IMS than in MS, and those of peanut were significantly lower in IMP than in MP. The soil protease, urease, and nitrate reductase activities of maize and soybean were significantly greater in IMS and IMP than in the corresponding monoculture, while the enzyme activities of peanut were significantly lower in IMP than in MP. The soil available N of maize and soybean was significantly greater increased in IMS and IMP than in the corresponding monocultures, while that of IMP was significantly lower than in MP. In summary, the IMS system was more beneficial to N uptake than the IMP system. The intercropping of maize and legumes can promote the N uptake of maize, thus reducing the need for N application and improving agricultural sustainability.

Plant different, eat different? Insights from participatory agricultural research.

We examine the association between on-farm production diversity on household dietary diversity in Malawi using microdata collected as part of an environmentally sustainable agricultural intensification program. The program primarily focuses on the integration of legumes into the cropping system through maize-legume intercropping and legume-legume intercropping. Relative to staple cereals such as maize, legumes are rich in micronutrients, contain better-quality protein, and lead to nitrogen fixation. Given the systematic difference we document between program beneficiaries and randomly sampled non-beneficiary (control) households, we employ causal instrumental variables mediation analysis to account for non-random selection and possible simultaneity between production and consumption decisions. We find a significant positive treatment effect on dietary diversity, led by an increase in production diversity. Analysis of potential pathways show that effects on dietary diversity stem mostly from consumption of diverse food items purchased from the market made possible through higher agricultural income. These findings highlight that, while increasing production for markets can enhance dietary diversity through higher income that would make affordable an expanded set of food items, the production of more nutritious crops such as pulses may not necessarily translate into greater own consumption. This may be due to the persistence of dietary habits, tastes, or other local factors that favor consumption of staples such as maize and encourage sales of more profitable and nutritious food items such as pulses. Pulses are a more affordable and environmentally sustainable source of protein than animal source food, and efforts should be made to enhance their nutritional awareness and contribution to sustainable food systems and healthier diets.

Sistemas consorciados de milho no sul do México: uma revisão dos benefícios e desafios

ABSTRACT: Intercropping is the process of planting two or more crops simultaneously in the same field in order to provide greater ecosystem services (i.e. services related to sustainable land and water use, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem restoration). In southern Mexico, the cereal-legume intercropping is a traditional cropping practice that is declining overtime. This paper provides a literature review of the potential benefits and constraints of a maize-legume intercropping for small-scale farms in southern Mexico. This review explored and elucidated the different ecosystem services delivered by maize-legume intercropping systems. This information will help farmers know how to make a better use of cereal-legume intercropping systems to increase maize yields, improve their socioeconomic conditions, and enhance conservation agricultural practices in southern Mexico.

Do changes in maize prices and input prices affect smallholder farmers’ soil fertility management decisions? panel survey evidence from Kenya

ABSTRACT Soil fertility management (SFM) practices such as maize-legume intercropping and organic fertiliser, particularly when used jointly with inorganic fertiliser, have the potential to increase yields and yield response to inorganic fertiliser, improve soil health, and contribute to sustainable intensification (SI). However, relatively little is known about the drivers of adoption of these practices, especially for joint use. Moreover, it has been suggested that African farmers will respond to an increase in the maize price they expect to receive at the next harvest by increasing investment in their soils or altering use of SFM practices in response to input price changes. Yet previous studies largely ignore the role of prices. Using nationwide household panel survey data from Kenya, we estimate the effects of changes in crop and input prices on household use of individual SFM practices and combinations thereof. We find that Kenyan smallholders’ SFM adoption decisions are largely insensitive to changes in expected maize prices. However, when inorganic fertiliser prices rise, farmers are more likely to use organic fertiliser and use less inorganic fertiliser per acre. These results suggest that price policies alone are unlikely to be effective ways to promote SI of maize production in Kenya.

Effects of Cereal-Legume Intercropping and Mulching on Maize (Zea Mays L.) Productivity in Dry Season using Drip Irrigation in South-Sudanian Climatic Zone of Burkina Faso

The availability and sustainability of water in rural areas are significant challenges facing agricultural producers in the Sahelian zones. Maize-legume intercropping with a mulch cover for water conservation with drip irrigation is a promising production practice for conserving water, increasing productivity and improving soil health. A randomized complete block trial with 04 replications and 08 treatments was established in Sonsongona (11.2522°N, 4.4559°W), a village located west of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Means separation by analysis of variance (ANOVA) was with RStudio 1.2.1335 software at the 5% threshold according to the Newman-Keuls test. The mulched treatments significantly affect soil moisture, maize growth, weed growth, and important maize yield attributes.

Maize–legume systems under conservation agriculture

AbstractSoil fertility depletion due to land degradation and poor cropping diversity have resulted in poor crop yield in sub‐Saharan Africa. On‐farm experiments were conducted to determine the effects of conservation agriculture (CA)‐based maize (Zea mays L.)–legume cropping systems and conventional tillage (CT) on soil properties and yield of maize. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiments were continued for 3 yr from 2012 to 2014. The treatments were: CT with monoculture maize (CT‐M), CA with monoculture maize (CA‐M), CA‐based maize–common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropping (CA‐M+CB), CA‐based maize–cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) intercropping (CA‐M+CP) and CA‐based maize–common bean rotation (CA‐M–CB).Weed infestation in CA‐based maize–legume cropping systems reduced over the years. Application of CA‐based maize–legume cropping systems increased soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus (Ava.P), and soil water infiltration rate by 37, 54, 12.3, and 327%, respectively, over CT‐M. Maize grain yield increased by 54% in CA‐M–CB over CT. The highest production efficiency was obtained from CA‐M–CB. In conclusion, CA‐M–CB followed by CA‐based maize–legume intercropping were the best soil management practices as elucidated in higher soil fertility and stable yield. However, future research on CA‐based cropping systems should be executed under various agro‐ecologies and crop types.

Farmer Perceptions of Adopting Novel Legumes in Traditional Maize-Based Farming Systems in the Yucatan Peninsula

Intercropping constitutes the traditional farming system practice used in various forms for maize production in the Yucatan peninsula. Although practiced for centuries, problems persist with competition for water, nutrients and light between crop species in traditional farming systems. Furthermore, little is known about farmers’ perceptions regarding changes to traditional maize-legume intercropping systems and their interest in novel crop adoption to increase yields in the system while maintaining the practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the maize-based traditional cropping system by assessing the underlying motives and concepts of farmers to practice intercropping in the Yucatan Peninsula and to examine the association between farmers’ level of knowledge about legumes and decisions to adopt intercropping and related practices therein. Farmer surveys were conducted in nine different regions of the Yucatan Peninsula. We selected Xoy, Euan, Muna, Mama, Tahdziú (Yucatan), Becal, Hecelchacam, Dzitbalché and San Antonio Sahcabchén (Campeche) which are representative of agroecological small-scale farming systems. We used a mixed methods case study analysis involving key informant interviews in eight associations of farmers. A sample frame with 73 farmers was selected in total during February 2021 and April 2021. Basic information such as land use, labor inputs, agricultural production and farmer’s perceptions regarding their intercropping systems were collected. Our research shows that the primary motives for intercropping were due to the ability of intercropping to offer a more diversified range of food for human and animal consumption, as well as to take advantage of different harvest periods that this practice offers. The majority of respondents were likely to favor the idea of introducing new legume species in their maize-based cropping systems. Factors such as the type of cropping system (i.e., intercropping or monocropping), access to water and level of knowledge about legumes influenced their decision to adopt intercropping in their farming systems considerably. This paper contributes to the knowledge on the current state and farmers’ perceptions of intercropping systems in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Determinants of conservation agriculture adoption among small-holder farmers in Gilgil sub-county, Kenya

Conservation Agriculture is a practice that enhances sustainable and intensified agricultural production. Conservation Agriculture involves; crop rotation, minimum tillage, mulching, zero tillage, maize-legume intercrop, and residue retention. Conservation Agriculture practices are crucial in providing solutions to food and nutrition insecurity, loss of biodiversity and declining soil quality in Kenya. This study documented the current status of Conservation Agriculture use in Gilgil Sub-County of Nakuru County, Kenya, reasons for adoption, and influence of socio-economic, institutional, and agro-ecological factors on adoption of Conservation Agriculture and patterns of use. The study was conducted in July 2020 in Gilgil Sub- County of Nakuru County, Kenya. The study targeted 71,268 farmers and an accessible population of 10,914 farm families respectively. Purposive and systematic sampling techniques were used to select 150 small-holder farmers based on Nassiuma formulae. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Both descriptive (mean, frequencies, and percentages) and inferential (Multivariate probit and Tobit models and Factorial Analysis of Variance) statistics were used to analyse the data. The results revealed incomplete use of Conservation Agriculture practices: about 87% used less than five of the six recommended Conservation Agriculture practices while only 13% used five to six practices promoted in the area. This result indicates that farm-level benefits of using all Conservation Agriculture practices simultaneously were not fully realized. Second, the study established that farmers used Conservation Agriculture practices for agronomic, environmental conservation, and economic reasons. Furthermore, the differences in patterns of use of Conservation Agriculture practices were significantly determined by extension contacts, main occupation, education, access to credit, external institutional support, group membership, and land size.

Food Security and Nutrition in Mozambique: Comparative Study with Bean Species Commercialised in Informal Markets

In Mozambique (South-eastern Africa), Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna spp. are important staple foods and a major source of dietary protein for local populations, particularly for people living in rural areas who lack the financial capacity to include meat in their daily dietary options. This study focuses on the potential for improving diets with locally produced nutritious legumes whilst increasing food security and income generation among smallholder farmers. Using bean species and varieties commercialised as dry legumes in the country, it sets out to characterize and compare the chemical properties of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna spp. among the most commercialised dry legume groups in Mozambique. The principal component analysis showed a clear separation between Phaseolus and Vigna species in terms of proximate composition, whereas protein content was quite uniform in both groups. It concludes that the introduction of improved cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna species maize–legume intercropping benefits yield, diets and increases household income with limited and low-cost inputs while enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers in vulnerable production systems affected by recurrent drought and the supply of legumes to urban informal markets.

Estimating Forage Yield and Nutritive Value of Maize-Legume Intercropping Systems in Paddy Fields During Summer

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the forage yield and nutritive value of maize–legume intercropping systems in non-cultivating paddy fields. The fields were sprayed with 210 kg ha-1 of nitrogen composite fertilizer [NPK (21-17-17)] before seeding. Maize cv. ‘32P75’ was simultaneously cultivated with two cultivars of soybean (‘Chookdu 1’ and ‘Chookdu 2’) and lablab (cv. ‘Rongai’) from 2018 to 2019 at the National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan, Republic of Korea. After seeding, pendimethalin herbicide was sprayed on the fields, and soil and plant parameters, including soil chemical composition, plant characteristics, productivity, and feed values, were estimated. The soil in the intercropping treatments had higher nitrogen content and P2O5 utilization rate than the maize monoculture. The productivity [dry matter yield (DMY) and total digestible nutrients] of the fields under the intercropping and monoculture treatments during 2018 were not significantly different. However, the field productivity of the intercropping treatments during 2019 were remarkably higher than that of the maize monoculture; the productivity of M × S1 field was the highest (p p < 0.05). In addition, the feed value, except crude protein content, of the treatment with intercropped lablab was higher than that with the maize monocrop. Thus, these findings provide an insight into the role of alternative cropping in improving the forage yield of paddy fields.

Legume-Maize Intercropping System: An Alternative Pathway for Sustainable Agriculture

Intercropping provides ample scope to include two or more crops simultaneously in same piece of land thus targeting higher productivity from unit area on sustainable basis. Maize, a cereal crop of immense importance, planted in wide rows offers the possibility for adoption of intercropping. The intercropping system with maize and legume is beneficial in multiple aspects. The success of maize-legume intercropping system largely depends on choice of crops and their maturity, density, and time of planting. Advantage of maize-legume intercropping system is promoted in the form of higher yield and greater utilization of available resources, benefits in weeds control [1,2], pests and disease management [3], fixation of biological nitrogen by legumes and transfer of N to associated maize [4,5], insurance against crop failure to small holders, and control of erosion by covering a large extent of ground area [6]. Though maize-legume intercropping system exhibits limitations like less scope of farm mechanization, dependence on more human workforce, and chance of achieving less productivity from maize, the system implies more advantages for small holders in developing countries where human workforce is not a constraint.

Improving maize's N uptake and N use efficiency by strengthening roots' absorption capacity when intercropped with legumes.

Maize’s nitrogen (N) uptake can be improved through maize-legume intercropping. N uptake mechanisms require further study to better understand how legumes affect root growth and to determine maize’s absorptive capacity in maize-legume intercropping. We conducted a two-year field experiment with two N treatments (zero N (N0) and conventional N (N1)) and three planting patterns (monoculture maize (Zea mays L.) (MM), maize-soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) strip intercropping (IMS), and maize-peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) strip intercropping (IMP)). We sought to understand maize’s N uptake mechanisms by investigating root growth and distribution, root uptake capacity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and the antioxidant content in different maize-legume strip intercropping systems. Our results showed that on average, the N uptake of maize was significantly greater by 52.5% in IMS and by 62.4% in IMP than that in MM. The average agronomic efficiency (AE) of maize was increased by 110.5 % in IMS and by 163.4 % in IMP, compared to MM. The apparent recovery efficiency (RE) of maize was increased by 22.3% in IMS. The roots of intercropped maize were extended into soybean and peanut stands underneath the space and even between the inter-rows of legume, resulting in significantly increased root surface area density (RSAD) and total root biomass. The root-bleeding sap intensity of maize was significantly increased by 22.7–49.3% in IMS and 37.9–66.7% in IMP, compared with the MM. The nitrate-N content of maize bleeding sap was significantly greater in IMS and IMP than in MM during the 2018 crop season. The glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities in the root significantly increased in IMS and IMP compared to MM. Strip intercropping using legumes increases maize’s aboveground N uptake by promoting root growth and spatial distribution, delaying root senescence, and strengthening root uptake capacity.