Productivity of farmer-preferred maize varieties intercropped with beans in semi-arid Kenya

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/01/2013
Views (336) Download (11)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Productivity of farmer-preferred maize varieties intercropped with beans in semi-arid Kenya

O.M. Kitonyo, G.N. Chemining’wa, J.W. Muthomi
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res.3( 1), 6-16, January 2013.
Certificate: IJAAR 2013 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Farmers in the semi-arid regions grow drought tolerant maize varieties and practice maize-legume intercropping. A study was conducted in Machakos, Mwea and Waruhiu in 2008 short rains and 2009 long rains to determine the performance of maize varieties currently grown in semi-arid regions and their compatibility with beans. Sixteen maize varieties were grown as sole crops or intercropped with beans. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement and replicated three times. Maize variety and maize plus beans intercrop system were assigned to main and sub-plots, respectively. Using land equivalent ratio (LER) and monetary advantage (MA) indices, productivity of intercropping was evaluated. Results indicated that varieties KCB, Katumani, DHO 1, DHO 2, DK 8031 and Duma 43 were suitable for Mwea and Waruhiu. They tolerated or escaped drought by maturing early. Further, these varieties were compatible with beans in an intercrop system. However, bean yield was significantly affected by maize component in intercrop system and declines of 52% to 59% were observed. Despite the yield reduction of beans in intercropping, this system was shown to be economically viable according to LER and MA indices. All maize varieties failed to produce a crop in Machakos in two seasons. Increased food production in semi-arid areas requires adoption of drought escaping and tolerant varieties and maize-bean intercropping systems. However, areas with severe droughts like Machakos and adjoining regions of south-eastern Kenya require alternative maize varieties or crop species that are more drought tolerant than those currently recommended.

VIEWS 36

de Graaff J, Kessler A, Nibbering JW. 2011. Agriculture and food security in selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa: diversity in trends and opportunities. Food Security 3, 195–213.

Diallo AO, Kikafundi J, Wolde L, Odongo O, Mduruma ZO. 2004. Drought tolerant and low nitrogen tolerant hybrids for the mid-altitude ecology of Eastern Africa. In Friesen D.K. and Palmar A.F.E. (eds). Intergrated approaches to higher maize productivity in the new millenium. CIMMYT/KARI, Nairobi, Kenya. pp 206 – 212.

Fininsa C.1997. Effects of planting pattern, relative planting date and intra-row spacing on a haricot bean/maize intercrop. African Crop Science Journal 5, 15–22.

Francis CA, Prager M, Tejada G. 1982. Effects of relative planting dates in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping patterns. Field Crops Research 5, 45-54.

Gachimbi LN, De Jager A, Van Keulen H, Thuranira EG and Nandwa SM. 2002. Participatory diagnosis of soil nutrient depletion in semi-arid areas of Kenya. Managing Africa’s Soils. 26. www.iied.org/drylands/publications.

Gebeyehu S, Simana B, Kirkby R. 2006. Genotype × cropping system interaction in climbing beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown as sole crop and in association with maize (Zea mays L.). European Journal of Agronomy 24, 396 – 403.

Gitonga NM, Shisanya CA, Hornetz B, Maingi JM. 1999. Nitrogen fixation by Vigna radiata L. in pure and mixed stands in south eastern-Kenya. Symbiosis 27, 239– 250.

Gomez KA, Gomez AA. 1984. Statistical procedures for agricultural research.Wiley-Interscience publication. 1 – 657.

Hornetz B, Shisanya CA, Gitonga NM. 2001. Crop water relationships and thermal adaptation of kathika beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and green grams (Vigna radiata L.) with special reference to temporal patterns of potential growth in the dryland of south eastern Kenya. Journal of Arid Environments 48, 591 – 601.

Jagtap SS, Abamu FJ. 2003. Matching improved maize production technologies to the resource base of farmers in a moist savanna. Agricultural Systems 76, 1067–1084.

Katungi E, Farrow A, Mutuoki T, Gebeyehu S, Karanja D, Alamayehu F, Sperling L, Beebe S, Rubyogo JC, Buruchara R. 2010. Improving common bean productivity: An Analysis of socioeconomic factors in Ethiopia and Eastern Kenya. Baseline Report Tropical legumes II. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical – CIAT. Cali, Colombia

Kenya Agricultural Commodity Exchange. 2009. Commodity exchange portal in Kenya. http://www.kacekenya.com.

Kinama JM, Stigter CJ, Ong C, Nganga JK, Gichuki FN. 2007. Alley cropping (contour hedgerow intercropping) maize or cowpea/senna for increased dry matter production in the semi-arid areas of eastern Kenya. Proceedings of African Crop Science Society (ACSS) in Melkia – Egypt, November, 2007.

Mafongoya PL, Bationo A, Kihara J, Waswa BS. 2006. Appropriate technologies to replenish soil fertility in southern Africa. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 76, 137 – 151.

Maingi JM, Shisanya CA, Gitonga NM, Hornetz B. 2000. Nitrogen fixation by common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in pure and mixed stands in semi-arid south-east Kenya. European Journal of Agronomy 14, 1–12.

Mbah EU, Muoneke CO, Okpara, DA. 2007. Effect of compound fertilizer on the yield and productivity of soybean and maize in soybean/maize intercrop in Southeastern Nigeria. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 7, 87 – 95.

Mead R, Willey RW. 1980. The concept of ‘land equivalent ratio’ and advantages in yield from intercropping. Experimental Agricuture 16, 217-228.

Mnasri B, Aouani ME, Mhamdi R. 2007. Nodulation and growth of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under water deficiency. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 39, 1744 – 1750.

Moser SB, Feil B, Jampatong S, Stamp P. 2006. Effects of pre-anthesis drought, nitrogen fertilizer rate, and variety on grain yield, yield components, and harvest index of tropical maize. Agricultural Water Management 81, 41–58.

Mugo SN, Smith ME, Banziger M, Setter TL, Edmeades GO, Elings A. 1998. Performance of early maturing katumani and kito maize composites under drought at the seedling and flowering stages. African Crop Science Journal 6, 329-344.

Muraya MM, Omolo EO, Ndirangu CM. 2006. Development of high yielding synthetic maize (Zea mays L.) varieties suitable for intercropping with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Asian Journal of Plant Sciences 5, 163 – 169.

Muthamia JGN, Musembi F, Maina JM, Okuro JO, Amboga S, et al. 2001. Participatory on-farm trials on weed control in smallholder farms in maize-based cropping systems. Proceedings of Seventh Eastern and South Africa Regional Maize Conference. 11th – 15th February. pp 468-473.

Nyariki DM. 2007. Kenya position paper on the Horn of Africa initiative on tackling. Food Insecurity: 2-9. http://www.kilimo.go.ke.

Rahman MM, Awal MA, Amin A, Parvej MR. 2009. Compatibility, growth and production potentials of mustard/lentil intercrops. International Journal of Botany 5, 100 – 106.

Rao MR, Mathuva MN. 2000. Legumes for improving maize yields and income in semi-arid Kenya. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 78, 123–137.

Rockstrom J, Kaumbutho P, Mwalley J, Nzabi, AW, Temesgen M, et al. 2009. Conservation farming strategies in East and Southern Africa: Yields and rain-water productivity from on-farm action research. Soil Tillage Research 103, 23 – 32.

Shisanya CA. 2002. Improvement of drought adapted tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray var. latifolius) yield through biological nitrogen fixation in semi-arid SE-Kenya. European Journal of Agronomy 16, 13–24.

Shisanya CA. 2003. Yield and nitrogen fixation response by drought tolerant tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray Var. Latifolius) in sole and maize intercrop systems in semi-arid Kenya. Pakistan Journal of Agronomy 2, 126 – 137.

Tamado T, Fininsa, C, Worku, W. 2007. Agronomic performance and productivity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties in double intercropping with maize (Zea mays L.) in eastern Ethiopia. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences 6, 749 – 756.

Tsubo M, Walker S. 2002. A model of radiation interception and use by a maize–bean intercrop canopy. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 110, 203–215.

Tsubo M, Mukhala E, Ogindo, HO Walker S. 2003. Productivity of maize bean intercropping in a semi-arid region of South Africa. Water South Africa 29, 381 – 388.

Tsubo M, Walker S, Mukhala E. 2001. Comparisons of radiation use efficiency of mono-inter-cropping systems with different row orientations. Field Crops Research 71, 17-29.

Yilmaz S, Atak M, Erayman M. 2007. Identification of advantages of maize-legume intercropping over solitary cropping through competition indices in the East Mediterranean region. Turkey Journal of Agriculture 32, 111 – 119.

Zhang FS, Li L. 2003. Using competitive and facilitative interactions in intercropping systems enhances crop productivity and nutrient-use efficiency. Plant and Soil 248, 305 –312.