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Explora: Environment
and Resource Maize–pigeon pea intercropping in Ghana

regions such as Ghana and other parts of Africa, where to assess MPP intercropping. It examines agronomic
smallholder farming systems predominate. Sustainable performance, economic viability, and long-term soil
1,2
agriculture is a crucial strategy for reducing environmental fertility effects – areas that remain unexplored in Ghana.
damage and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Furthermore, the research is grounded in ethnobotanical
these farming systems. Understanding the factors that principles, highlighting the traditional knowledge and
3
influence farmers’ adoption of sustainable practices is cultural importance of pigeon pea cultivation among local
essential to promote their widespread implementation. farmers. The integration of traditional cropping systems
3
In Ghana, maize (Zea mays) – a major staple crop – and local adaptation strategies distinguishes this study
continues to face significant productivity challenges from conventional agronomic studies. 5,17
due to declining soil fertility and unpredictable climate The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the
changes. These challenges are further intensified by agronomic and economic benefits of MPP intercropping,
4,5
continuous monocropping and inadequate application focusing on increased crop yields, reduced reliance on
6
of soil amendments. Despite the increase in maize inorganic fertilizers, and improved soil health. By assessing
production over the past decade, this growth is largely the performance of this system in Ghana’s forest zones,
driven by the expansion of cultivated areas rather the research aims to provide valuable insights into its
than improvements in yield per unit area. This trend impact on maize productivity, soil fertility, and the climate
7
highlights the urgent need for integrated soil fertility resilience of smallholder farmers. Ultimately, the study
management (ISFM) strategies to enhance and maintain aims to optimize resource use and advance sustainable
maize productivity. 8-11
maize production amid ongoing environmental challenges.
One promising approach to improving maize The findings are anticipated to advance the current
productivity and sustainability is the integration of pigeon understanding of agroforestry, ISFM, and sustainable
pea (Cajanus cajan), a nutrient-rich legume, into maize- cropping systems, thereby supporting policy development,
based cropping systems. Pigeon pea has the capacity to fix improving agricultural practices, and guiding future
atmospheric nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation, research efforts.
thereby enhancing soil fertility and reducing the need for
synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. This can lower production 2. Materials and methods
costs for farmers while mitigating the environmental risks 2.1. Study location
associated with excessive fertilizer use. Previous studies
have demonstrated that intercropping pigeon pea can This study was conducted between 2022 and 2024 at the
improve soil structure and nutrient availability, benefiting Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)–Crops
maize and other associated crops. 12-14 The combined use Research Institute in Fumesua, Ghana (latitude: 6.7155729;
of organic and inorganic fertilizers has the potential to longitude: −1.5316034; Figure 1). The site is located in the
improve soil health, mitigate climate-related risks, and humid forest agroecological zone, characterized by Ferric
offer a cost-effective strategy for smallholder farmers. In Acrisol soils with a sandy clay loam topsoil. This region
addition, pigeon pea’s protein-rich grains can enhance experiences a bimodal rainfall distribution, with the major
household nutrition and food security. rainy season occurring from March to mid-August and
the minor season from September to November. Annual
Pigeon pea is increasingly recognized as a valuable rainfall averages between 1,027 mm and 1,322 mm
agroforestry crop – particularly in tropical and subtropical (Table 1 and Figure 2).
regions – due to its resilience and ability to improve soil
fertility. 12,15,16 When intercropped with maize, pigeon pea 2.2. Experimental design and intercropping
offers numerous agronomic benefits, including biological arrangement
nitrogen fixation, enhanced soil structure, and reduced A split-plot design with four replications was employed.
reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Furthermore, pigeon pea The main plot treatments comprised two cropping systems
8
contributes to ecosystem sustainability by supporting soil
erosion control, biodiversity conservation, and increased (Figure 3):
reliance to climate variability. 8,15 (i) MPP intercropping.
Despite these benefits, the success of maize–pigeon (ii) Maize monoculture (no pigeon pea [NPP]).
pea (MPP) intercropping largely depends on various The subplots included three fertilizer treatments:
factors, including agronomic practices, environmental (i) Full rate (FR): 250 kg/ha of 15-15-15 nitrogen-
conditions, and socioeconomic factors. Unlike previous phosphorus pentoxide-potassium oxide (N-P O -
8,13
2
5
studies, this research employs a comprehensive approach K O) + 250 kg/ha of sulfate of ammonia (SoA).
2
Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 2 doi: 10.36922/EER025130026