Effects of maize (zea mays l.) – soybean (glycine max (l.) merrill) intercropping patterns on yields and soil properties in two contrasting sites of Embu and Meru counties, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2015-01
Authors
Matusso, Jossias Mateus Materusse
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
In the central highlands of Kenya, the adoption of integrated soil fertility management technologies such as maize-soybean intercropping system is being promoted as one of the options to address low crop productivity and soil fertility depletion among the farmers of this region. This study aimed to: (i) determine the effects of maize-soybean intercropping patterns on yields, N uptake, and soil properties; (ii) determine the effects of different maize-soybean intercropping patterns on light interception and leaf area index; (iii) quantify the land equivalent ratio of various maize soybean intercropping patterns. The study areas were Embu – Agriculture Training Centre in Embu district (Embu County) and Kamujine in Tigania East district (Meru County). The main treatments were four maize – soybean intercropping patterns (conventional-1maize:1soya; MBILI-2maize:2soya; 2maize:4soya; 2maize:6soya) and two sole crops of maize and soybean, respectively. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications, and plot size of 7.0 m by 4.5 m. The study was carried out in two seasons (long rain 2012 and short rain 2012). The soil was sampled at 15 cm depth. All biophysical data were subjected to Analysis of Variance and means separated using Least Significant Difference of mean at 95% (p ≤ 0.05). The results showed that, the maize-soybean intercropping patterns had significant effect on maize stover and grain yields during both seasons at Embu site. During the long rain 2012, the soybean yields were reduced by 60 and 81% due to the intercropping with maize, at Embu and Kamujine, respectively; whereas during the 2012 SR, the yields were reduced by 52 and 78% as effect of intercropping with maize at Embu and Kamujine sites, respectively. In general, the soil nitrate-N was reduced due to intercropping patterns. The soil organic matter was significantly (p≤0.05) affected by the treatments at Kamujine site. The intercropping patterns affected significantly (p≤0.0001) the photosynthetically active radiation intercepted and the leaf area index at both sites. During both seasons at both localities, the total land equivalent ratio values greater than unit. From the results of this study, the use of MBILI maize-soybean intercropping pattern can be recommended to the farmers of central highlands of Kenya because of more efficient resources use and higher yields
Description
Department of Agricultural Resources Management, 112p. 2014. S 603.7 .M3