last final thesis of umer

(Rusinamhodzi et al., 2012). Similar trends have been found in other maize legume intercrops,
including maize pigeonpea and maze leucaena (Kamanga et al., 2010; Sileshi et al., 2011).
Fertility inputs can also be a factor determining intercrop advantage when the productivity of the
entire system is considered. The productivity and yield stability of maize in intercrop with cowpea
can also depend on the way that plants are arranged in the system.
2.10. Relations of maize and cowpea intercropping in terms of nutrient use
efficiency (NUE)
A possible advantage of intercropping legumes with non-legumes may be more efficient use of
soil nutrients. If both species have different rooting and uptake patterns, more efficient use of
available nutrients may occur and higher total N-uptake in intercropping systems compared to
monoculture systems have been reported (Dalal,1974). It is unclear, however, if better nutrient
uptake is the cause or the effect of higher yield potential (Willey, 1979). At high levels of nitrogen,
especially under intercropping, grain and legume yield was found to be reduced by the maize
intercrop (Ezumah et al., 1987; Ofori & Stern, 1987). Other researchers have reported a decrease
in maize yield under intercropping (Shumba et al., 1990; Siame et al., 1998).
The inconsistency of cereal and legume intercropping performance requires critical investigation
in areas where farmers are to benefit from intercropping in that specific locality (Mpangane et al.,
2004). Recent efforts to improve soil fertility have been through the introduction of legumes as an
intercrop and in rotation to minimize external inputs.
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