Plant Spatial Configurations and their Influences on Phenological Traits of Cereal and Legume Crops under Maize‐Based Intercropping Systems
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Date
2024-06
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Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment published by Global Initiative of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
Abstract
Introduction: Intercropping systems have a great potential for crop diversification thus
increasing smallholder systems' resilience to climate change while improving soil health.
However, optimal benefits associated with intercropping systems are rarely realised because
of the interspecific competition for growth resources among the intercropped species.
Methodology: Six trials were established in the high and low rainfall agroecological
zones of Babati district in Tanzania to assess how promising cropping systems with
different plant spatial configurations would influence the phenological development of
intercropped maize, bean and pigeonpea. Cropping systems under study included a sole
maize system rotated with a pigeonpea‐bean intercrop dubbed Doubled‐up legume
(DUL), maize‐pigeonpea system both with and without de‐topping, an innovation
comprising double maize rows alternated with pigeonpea and beans (Mbili‐Mbili), maize‐
pigeonpea system with two maize seeds sown within a 50 cm intra‐row space, a vertical‐
architecture Meru H513‐pigeonpea system and a farmer practice.
Results: Branch formation was significantly higher in DUL than in maize‐based systems
(p ≤ 0.05). Seasonal weather had upto 30% influence on pigeonpea flowering, with DUL
having highest (p ≤ 0.05) flower production. The rate of pigeonpea branch and flower
production in Mbili‐Mbili was stable across seasons relative to other maize‐pigeonpea
systems. Doubled‐up legume and farmer practice had pigeonpea litter yield of between 1
and 2 t ha−1 which was at least 0.5 t ha−1 higher than in maize‐based systems (p ≤ 0.05).
During the period preceding early maize reproductive stages, Mbili‐Mbili increased light
interception by 30% and 63% compared to maize‐based systems and DUL, respectively.
Maize toppings had higher (94%) P content than stover biomass that remained until harvest.
Conclusion: Overall, maize‐legume systems had higher intercropping efficacy than sole
maize system, both in interception use efficiency, soil mulch cover, among other soil
health benefits. Mbili‐Mbili and DUL also had increased phenological benefits on
intercropped legumes however, the latter was prone to seasonal weather variability.
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Citation
Kinyua, M. W., Mucheru‐Muna, M. W., Bolo, P., & Kihara, J. (2024). Plant spatial configurations and their influences on phenological traits of cereal and legume crops under maize‐based intercropping systems. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment, 3(2), e212110.