Effect of Maize (Zea mays L.)- Soyabean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) Intercropping Patterns on Growth and Yield Parameters of Soyabean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) in Kaimosi, Vihiga County Kenya

Abstract

Cereal-legume combination is a common form of intercropping by most small-scale farmers in Western Kenya in general and Vihiga County in particular. This is due to small sizes of land owned by farmers. The practice maximizes on the land productivity and improve on food security. The adoption of technologies like intercropping have been promoted to boost crop production in western Kenya. This has however not appreciably improved the production of soya bean that has remained at 0.2t ha-1   against potential of 2.5t ha-1. Thus, other intercropping patterns need to be tried with a view to enhance productivity. The objectives of this study was therefore to; determine the effect of Maize- Soya bean intercropping patterns on growth and yield parameters of soya beans. The study was conducted in Kaimosi Friend’s University research farm in Vihiga County. The experiment involved six treatment comprising; sole soya beans, sole maize, 1Maize-1Soybean, 1Maize-2Soybean, 2Maize-2Soybean and 2Maize-4Soybean each replicated four times. Findings indicated that maize soya beans intercropping pattern had significant impact on pod length, pod number and yield. However, intercropping did not affect the height of soya bean. On the other hand, intercropping patterns significantly affected the number of leaves. Furthermore, intercropping pattern had significant effect on Leaf Area Index of soya bean. The maize-soybean intercropping patterns had significant effect on soya beans fresh and dry grain yields with 1M:2S recording statistically the highest yields among the intercrops and the least in 1M:1S in long and short rain. There was significantly strong positive relationship between yields and the  growth and yield parameters (p 0.05). The positive correlation could be due to availability of growth material for the intercrop. The findings from this suggest the 1M:2S intercropping pattern has potential for adoption due to high dry weight yields and efficiency in material utilization.