Performance Of Farmer-preferred Maize Varieties Intercropped With Beans In Semi-arid Kenya
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Date
2011Author
Kitonyo, O.M
Chemining’wa, G.N.
Muthomi, J.W.
Type
PresentationLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Recurrent droughts have resulted to increased maize crop failures and food insecurity especially
in semi-arid regions of Kenya. To cope, farmers are advised to adopt drought tolerant maize
varieties and maize-legume intercropping as a diversification strategy. As such, a study was
conducted in Machakos, Mwea and Waruhiu to determine the performance of maize varieties
currently grown in the semi-arid regions and their compatibility with a commonly grown bean
variety, KB 1. Sixteen maize varieties were grown either as sole crops or intercropped with KB
1. The experiments were laid out in a RCBD with split plot arrangement and replicated thrice.
Maize variety and intercrop system were assigned to the main and sub-plots, respectively. Data
collected included plant height, nodulation, shoot biomass, stand count, lodging, days to 50%
flowering and maturity, yield and yield components. Land equivalent ratio (LER) and monetary
advantage (MA) indices were calculated to evaluate productivity of intercropping. Results
indicated that varieties KCB, Katumani, DHO 1, DHO 2, DK 8031and Duma 43 are suitable for
these regions. Except DK 8031 and Duma 43 which seemed to tolerate drought, the other
varieties escaped drought by maturing early. Further, these varieties were found to be compatible
with beans in an intercrop system. However, beans yield was significantly affected by the maize
component in the intercrop system and declines of 52% to 59% were observed. According to
LER and MA indices, intercropping was superior to sole cropping. To increase food production,
these drought escaping and tolerant varieties and maize-bean intercropping should be considered.