Mudita I.I., Chiduza C., Richardson-Kageler S.J., Murungu F.S.
Department of Crop Science, University of Zimbabwe, MP 167, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
Mudita, I.I., Department of Crop Science, University of Zimbabwe, MP 167, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe; Chiduza, C., Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa; Richardson-Kageler, S.J., Department of Crop Science, University of Zimbabwe, MP 167, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe; Murungu, F.S., Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
The objective of this study was to intensify soybean and maize production in smallholder production systems, where land is a limiting resource. Performance during growth and final yield in intercrop was evaluated for cultivars with different growth habits. Field experiments were undertaken at two sites, in two seasons (2002/03 and 2003/04) to evaluate the response of two soybeans (Storm-a determinate and Solitaire-an indeterminate cultivar) to intercropping with three maize cultivars (a semi-erectophile SC513, a planophile PAN413 and AC31; a dwarf cultivar). Treatments were laid in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Intercropping significantly increased Leaf Area Index (LAI), resulted in greater yields and income per unit land area than sole crops. In 2002/03, maize and soya bean cultivars did not significantly affect Land Equivalent Ratio (LER). However, the maize cultivar by soya bean cultivar interaction significantly (p<0.01) affected LER. Maize cultivar SC513 resulted in the highest LER with Storm but the lowest with Solitaire. It was concluded that SC513, a semi-erectophile intercropped with a determinate soya bean Storm cultivar might optimise yields without significant maize yield reduction. © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information.
