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Maize–lablab intercropping is promising in supporting the sustainable intensification of smallholder cropping systems under high climate risk in southern Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2019

Edith Rapholo ,
Jude J. O. Odhiambo ,
William C. D. Nelson ,
Reimund P. Rötter Open the ORCID record for Reimund P. Rötter [Opens in a new window] ,
Kingsley Ayisi ,
Marian Koch  and
Munir P. Hoffmann Open the ORCID record for Munir P. Hoffmann [Opens in a new window]
Edith Rapholo
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, University of Venda, P/bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Jude J. O. Odhiambo
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, University of Venda, P/bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
William C. D. Nelson
Affiliation:
Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling (TROPAGS),University of Goettingen, Grisebachstrasse 6, 37077 Goettingen, Germany Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Goettingen, Buesgenweg 1, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
Reimund P. Rötter
Affiliation:
Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling (TROPAGS),University of Goettingen, Grisebachstrasse 6, 37077 Goettingen, Germany Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Goettingen, Buesgenweg 1, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
Kingsley Ayisi
Affiliation:
Risk and Vulnerability Science Centre, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, Polokwane 0727, South Africa
Marian Koch
Affiliation:
Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling (TROPAGS),University of Goettingen, Grisebachstrasse 6, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
Munir P. Hoffmann*
Affiliation:
Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling (TROPAGS),University of Goettingen, Grisebachstrasse 6, 37077 Goettingen, Germany Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Strasse 84, D-15374 Müncheberg, Germany
*
*Corresponding author. Email: munir.hoffmann@zalf.de
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Abstract

Identifying options for the sustainable intensification of cropping systems in southern Africa under prevailing high climate risk is needed. With this in mind, we tested an intercropping system that combined the staple crop maize with lablab, a local but underutilised legume. Grain and biomass productivity was determined for four variants (i) sole maize (sole-maize), (ii) sole lablab (sole-lablab), (iii) maize/lablab with both crops sown simultaneously (intercropped-SP) and (iv) maize/lablab with lablab sown 28 days after the maize crop (intercropped-DP). Soil water and weather data were monitored and evaluated. The trial was conducted for two seasons (2015/2016 and 2016/2017) at two sites in the Limpopo Province, South Africa: Univen (847 mm rainfall, 29.2 °C maximum and 18.9 °C minimum temperature average for the cropping season over the years 2008–2017) and Syferkuil (491 mm rainfall, with 27.0 °C maximum and 14.8 °C minimum temperature). Analysis revealed three key results: The treatment with intercropped-SP had significantly lower maize yields (2320 kg ha−1) compared with maize in intercropped-DP (2865 kg ha−1) or sole-maize (2623 kg ha−1). As expected, maize yields in the El Niño affected in season 2015/2016 were on average 1688 kg ha−1 lower than in 2016/2017. Maize yields were significantly lower (957 kg ha−1) at Univen, the warmer site with higher rainfall, than at Syferkuil. In 2015/2016, maximum temperature at Univen exceeded 40 °C around anthesis. Furthermore, soil water was close to the estimated permanent wilting point (PWP) for most of the cropping season, which indicates possible water limitations. In Syferkuil, the soil water was maintained well above PWP. Lablab yields were low, around 500 ha−1, but stable as they were not affected by treatment across season and site. Overall, the study demonstrated that intercropped-DP appears to use available soil water more efficiently than sole maize. Intercropped-DP could therefore be considered as an option for sustainable intensification under high climate risk and resource-limited conditions for smallholders in southern Africa.

Keywords

Mixed croppingClimate variabilityUnderutilised crops
Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 56 , Issue 1 , February 2020 , pp. 104 - 117
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019 

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