Maize-legume: Savings in Soil, Growth in Profit
This practice harnesses biological nitrogen fixation in legume roots, benefiting the productivity of rotated or intercropped maize crops. Assimilated nitrogen is transferred between the crops through soil processes. Mineral fertilizer application is highly efficient, and intercropping alleviates weed infestation, soil erosion, and run-off. Certain legumes reduce parasitic Striga weed infestations in maize, further enhancing crop health. Tall maize crops regulate soil temperature and improve water productivity.
This technology is TAAT1 validated.
Positive or neutral impact
Positive or neutral impact
This technology enhances crop productivity, ensures food security, and promotes economic sustainability by optimizing nitrogen management, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and fostering healthier plant growth. It also contributes to ecosystem preservation by effectively managing weeds and combating Striga weed infestations, all while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
To integrate this technology into your project, a series of activities and prerequisites should be outlined:
Educate farmers about the benefits of maize-legume rotation and intercropping.
Provide guidance to farmers on suitable methods for mixed cultivation and varieties based on local contexts.
Obtain high-quality seed of maize and legumes, along with mineral fertilizer and legume inoculants.
Allocate funds for training and post-training support to ensure effective utilization of the technology.
Develop communication materials like flyers, videos, and radio broadcasts to promote technology adoption.
Establish partnerships with agro-input dealers, subsistence, and commercial maize and legume farmers for implementation.
For enhanced optimization, consider associating with drought-tolerant varieties, specialized pre-plant fertilizer blending, N topdressing, and fall armyworm control in maize production.
maize grain yields increase in yield/ha
of nitrogen carried over from soybean to maize crops
Unknown
Country | Tested | Adopted |
---|---|---|
Benin | Tested | Adopted |
Burkina Faso | Tested | Adopted |
Cameroon | Tested | Adopted |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Tested | Adopted |
Ethiopia | Tested | Adopted |
Ghana | Tested | Adopted |
Kenya | Tested | Adopted |
Malawi | Tested | Adopted |
Mozambique | Tested | Adopted |
Nigeria | Tested | Adopted |
Rwanda | Tested | Adopted |
Tanzania | Tested | Adopted |
Uganda | Tested | Adopted |
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.
AEZ | Subtropic - warm | Subtropic - cool | Tropic - warm | Tropic - cool |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arid | ||||
Semiarid | ||||
Subhumid | ||||
Humid |
Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.
Last updated on 22 May 2024