Effects of Maize–Legume Intercropping on Soil Fertility, Fall Armyworm and Maize Stem Borers Infestation, and Maize Productivity

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Psyche Journal of Entomology

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

Maize–legume intercropping offers a promising approach to enhance soil fertility and mitigate production losses caused by insect pests. This study assessed the impact of Maize–legume intercropping on pest infestation and soil fertility improvements. The results showed that the maize–Desmodium intercrop had the lowest pest infestation (5.4%) compared to the maize monocrop (10.7%) while also achieving a higher maize grain yield (6.4 t ha−1) compared to the monocrop (5.7 t ha−1) in 2022. Similarly, in 2023, the maize–common bean–Desmodium intercrop recorded the lowest infestation (3.9%) compared to maize–Desmodium (9.1%), maize–common bean (10.9%), and maize monocrop (40.3%). In addition, the highest maize grain yield was observed in the maize–common bean–Desmodium intercrop (8.06 t ha−1), outperforming the monocrop (5.3 t ha−1), maize–common bean (6.78 t ha−1), and maize–Desmodium (7.1 t ha−1). The maize–common bean– Desmodium intercrop also increased soil organic carbon (3.3%), organic matter (4.2%), total nitrogen (0.31%), and available nitrogen (5.8%). These findings suggest that maize–common bean–Desmodium intercropping can serve as an effective strategy to reduce insect pest pressure, enhance soil fertility, and improve productivity without intensifying interspecific competition with maize crops.

Keywords

common bean, Desmodium, intercropping, maize, pest, yield

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