Effect of Intercropping Sonchus oleraceous with Maize and Cowpea on Biomass and Soil Conservation fo

Maize and cowpeas are main staple cookings in Kilifi county and their output is highly constrained by raised incidences of viruses, weeds and prolonged dryness. These adversely influence maize yields and availability of cowpea leafy salads during the dry seasons. Sonchus oleraceaous, a average weed private maize-cowpea cropping structures is widely used and most preferred private households of the Kenyan coast as a leafy legume. However, its act as a vegetable and cover crop destitute been exploited and or recorded. This study was conceived to review the effects of Sonchus on maize-cowpea cutting systems, particularly as a cover crop. A randomized complete block design experiment replicated thrice was set at Pwani University Crop Science farm for two (2) cutting seasons in 2014 to 2016. Treatments included three (3) intercropping orders composed of maize, Sonchus and cowpeas, and the alone crops as a control with maize organize of 90 by 60 and cowpea and Sonchus at 15cm by 60cm. Plant height, % ground cover, and biomass yields were persistent for each situation. High groundcover was observed comprehensively the intercrops, and was highest place cowpea was part of the situation. Biomass of Sonchus was highest in the sole crop, trailed by the maize-Sonchus intercrop (>7.5tons/ha) and was shortest (2.5-2.78) in the Sonchus-cowpea intercrop (82-84% lower compared to the added treatments). The results demonstrated that intercropping maize with Sonchus was feasible place in between scope was sufficient. The association is that Sonchus can be joined in maize farming systems for crop variety as a vegetable to be dramatic on land output and contribute to food. Further research on spacing and density for maize and Sonchus intercrop concede possibility be carried decided upon develop an not urban package that would guarantee maximum returns for promotion to farmers.

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