Maize ( Zea mays )‐Legume Systems under Conservation Agriculture

Soil fertility depletion due to land degradation and poor cropping diversity have resulted in crop yield sub-Saharan Africa. On-farm experiments were conducted determine the effects of conservation agriculture (CA)-based maize (Zea mays L.)–legume systems conventional tillage (CT) on soil properties maize. The laid out a randomized complete block design with three replications. continued for 3 yr from 2012 2014. treatments were: CT monoculture (CT-M), CA (CA-M), CA-based maize–common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropping (CA-M+CB), maize–cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (CA-M+CP) rotation (CA-M–CB).Weed infestation maize–legume reduced over years. Application increased organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus (Ava.P), water infiltration rate by 37, 54, 12.3, 327%, respectively, CT-M. Maize grain 54% CA-M–CB CT. highest production efficiency was obtained CA-M–CB. In conclusion, followed best management practices as elucidated higher stable yield. However, future research should be executed under various agro-ecologies types.