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

contributing to improved food security and nutritional pea alley cropping in improving soil health and maintaining
diversity. These findings align with previous studies that fertility over time. MPP intercropping systems represent a
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highlight the role of legumes in enhancing soil fertility, promising approach for the sustainable intensification of
reducing chemical input dependency, and improving crop agriculture, effectively integrating productivity, resilience,
profitability. 14,30 and ecological sustainability. They offer a practical solution

Beyond economic benefits, intercropping systems for smallholder farmers in Ghana and comparable settings,
also contribute significantly to ecological sustainability. helping to address critical challenges such as declining soil
Pigeon pea enhances nitrogen fixation, facilitates biomass fertility, climate variability, and limited access to inputs.
recycling, and promotes soil carbon sequestration, all Future research and policy support will be essential to
of which support improved soil health and long-term achieving the full potential of these systems in ensuring
productivity. 11,16,31,32 These ecological benefits align with food security and environmental sustainability.
the principles of sustainable agriculture, positioning 5. Conclusion
MPP intercropping as a promising strategy for climate-
resilient farming systems. However, the scope of this An ISFM approach incorporating legume agroforestry
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study is limited to a single agroecological zone, which may trees, such as pigeon peas, offers a promising solution for
limit the applicability of the findings. Further research sustainable maize production. This approach addresses the
is needed to evaluate the system’s performance across challenge of maintaining soil fertility, which has contributed
diverse regions. In addition, although economic benefits to declining maize yields. Pigeon pea not only provides
were inferred, detailed economic analyses incorporating reliable biomass and shade that conserve soil moisture but
BCRs and profitability metrics would provide a more also helps suppress weeds. These advantages of the MPP
comprehensive understanding. The observed trade-offs cropping systems enhance resource use efficiency and maize
10
between productivity and sustainability highlight the need productivity. Therefore, ISFM – planting maize with pigeon
for careful optimization of planting densities, row spacing, pea combined with half the recommended fertilizer rate
and fertilizer application rates to maximize the system’s (125 kg/ha of 15-15-15 N-P O -K O + 125 kg/ha of SoA) –
5
2
2
overall benefits. 34 could be a viable strategy for sustainable maize production
on continuously cropped fields. However, further research
Farmers should consider integrating pigeon peas
into maize cropping systems to reduce fertilizer is needed to evaluate whether fertilizer rates can be reduced
even further without compromising maize productivity
costs, enhance soil fertility, and increase resilience to and economic returns. This is crucial for sustaining maize
environmental stresses. Future studies should focus on production among smallholder farmers amid climate
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identifying optimal planting densities, row spacing, and change, thereby contributing to improved food security.
variety selection for MPP intercropping across diverse
agroecological zones. In addition, policymakers are Acknowledgments
encouraged to support the adoption of intercropping
systems through targeted subsidies, extension services, The authors are grateful to the technicians and field staff
and farmer training programs. The findings highlight a of the CSIR-Crops Research Institute for their valuable
strategic trade-off: while monocultures may maximize support during the experimental trials.
yields under optimal conditions, they lack resilience, Funding
whereas intercropping systems offer a balanced approach
– combining stable productivity, ecological benefits, and This study was supported by the European Union’s Horizon
resilience under variable conditions. Integrating pigeon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under grant
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peas into maize cropping systems can therefore support agreement number 101000348. The funding was provided
sustainable intensification, reduce environmental impacts, through the Revenue Diversity Pathways Project in Africa,
and strengthen food security. This study illustrates that an international and institutional collaboration promoting
pigeon peas can serve as a vital resource for farming bio-based and circular agricultural innovations.
communities, thriving in challenging environments while
providing multiple benefits. 36,37 Conflict of interest
In summary, pigeon pea alley cropping enhanced The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
soil fertility by increasing levels of N, P, OC, and Ca.
NPP cropping system did not significantly enhance soil Author contributions
nutrients, showing values similar to those of the initial soil Conceptualization: Felix Frimpong, Eric Owusu Danquah,
properties. These findings highlight the potential of pigeon Shadrack Kwadwo Amponsah, Natson Eyram

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 12 doi: 10.36922/EER025130026