Can Integration of Legume Trees Increase Yield Stability in Rainfed Maize Cropping Systems in Southern Africa?

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. The...

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Autores principales: Sileshi, Gudeta W., Kassa Debusho L, Akinnifesi, F.K.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2012
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42080
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author Sileshi, Gudeta W.
Kassa Debusho L
Akinnifesi, F.K.
author_browse Akinnifesi, F.K.
Kassa Debusho L
Sileshi, Gudeta W.
author_facet Sileshi, Gudeta W.
Kassa Debusho L
Akinnifesi, F.K.
author_sort Sileshi, Gudeta W.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description 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. The 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 field 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.
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spelling CGSpace420802024-08-27T10:36:53Z Can Integration of Legume Trees Increase Yield Stability in Rainfed Maize Cropping Systems in Southern Africa? Sileshi, Gudeta W. Kassa Debusho L Akinnifesi, F.K. agriculture climate zea mays gliricidia legumes agroforestry 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. The 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 field 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. 2012-09 2014-08-15T12:13:22Z 2014-08-15T12:13:22Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42080 en Limited Access Wiley Sileshi GW, Kassa Debusho L, Akinnifesi FK. 2012. Can Integration of Legume Trees Increase Yield Stability in Rainfed Maize Cropping Systems in Southern Africa?. Agronomy Journal, Vol 104(5):1392-1398
spellingShingle agriculture
climate
zea mays
gliricidia
legumes
agroforestry
Sileshi, Gudeta W.
Kassa Debusho L
Akinnifesi, F.K.
Can Integration of Legume Trees Increase Yield Stability in Rainfed Maize Cropping Systems in Southern Africa?
title Can Integration of Legume Trees Increase Yield Stability in Rainfed Maize Cropping Systems in Southern Africa?
title_full Can Integration of Legume Trees Increase Yield Stability in Rainfed Maize Cropping Systems in Southern Africa?
title_fullStr Can Integration of Legume Trees Increase Yield Stability in Rainfed Maize Cropping Systems in Southern Africa?
title_full_unstemmed Can Integration of Legume Trees Increase Yield Stability in Rainfed Maize Cropping Systems in Southern Africa?
title_short Can Integration of Legume Trees Increase Yield Stability in Rainfed Maize Cropping Systems in Southern Africa?
title_sort can integration of legume trees increase yield stability in rainfed maize cropping systems in southern africa
topic agriculture
climate
zea mays
gliricidia
legumes
agroforestry
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42080
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