Sileshi, G.W. and Debusho, L.K. and Akinnifesi, F.K. (2012) Can Integration of Legume Trees Increase Yield Stability in Rainfed Maize Cropping Systems in Southern Africa? Agronomy Journal, 104. pp. 1392-1398.
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Abstract
Growing maize (Zea mays L.) in association with legume trees in agroforestry arrangements has been shown to increase yields in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa; however, the stability of crop yields has not been critically analyzed in the various cropping systems that integrate leguminous trees. Th e objective of this analysis was to compare yield stability in improved cropping systems, namely maize–gliricidia [Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth] intercropping and fertilized monoculture maize, with the de facto practice of resource-poor farmers who grow maize continuously without any external input. Yield stability was determined for three long-term fi eld trials (12–13 consecutive yr) conducted at Makoka Research Station in southern Malawi and Msekera Research Station in eastern Zambia. At Makoka, the most stable yield was recorded in maize–gliricidia intercrops. Average yield was highest for maize–gliricidia intercropping amended with 50% of the recommended N and P fertilizer, and this was comparable with the yield recorded in monoculture maize that received inorganic fertilizer. On the two sites at Msekera, the highest yield was recorded in fertilized monoculture maize, followed by maize–gliricidia intercrops. Yields were more stable, however, in maize–gliricidia intercropping than fertilized maize on both sites at Msekera. It was concluded that maize yields remain more stable in maize–gliricidia intercropping than in fertilized maize monoculture in the long term, although average yields may be higher with full fertilization.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Financial support for this work came from the government of Ireland through the Irish Aid and Irish Embassy in Malawi to the World Agroforestry Centre. We thank Dr. F. Kwesiga, Prof. J. Maghembe, and Dr. P. Mafongoya for having contributed to the establishment of the trials in Zambia and Malawi, respectively. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Cropping Systems, Intercropping, Rainfed Cropping, Yield |
| Author Affiliation: | World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Southern Africa Regional Programme, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station, P.O. Box 30798, Lilongwe, Malawi |
| Subjects: | Plant Production > Croping Systems |
| Divisions: | Maize |
| Depositing User: | Mr Siva Shankar |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Nov 2012 08:22 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Nov 2012 08:22 |
| Official URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj2012.0063 |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/8676 |
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