TITLE:
Evaluation of the Association and Rotation of Maize with Legumes, in Direct Sowing in the Democratic Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Gertrude Khonde Pongi, Jean Pierre Tshiabukole Kabongo, Amand Kankolongo Mbuya, Stefan Hauser, Antoine Djamba Mumba, Roger Vumilia Kizungu, Constant Nkongolo Kabwe
KEYWORDS:
Maize, Soybean, Cowpea, Intercropping, Mulch, INERA, DR Congo
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.7 No.9,
September
17,
2020
ABSTRACT: A study was carried out to find, in the intercropping system, the combination for optimizing maize production put into the direct seeding mulch-based cropping systems (DMC). Eight varieties of maize and two legumes were put into intercropping and rotated systems respectively in first and second season, following a factorial system with four replicates. In the second season, maize was sowed on mulch from sole crops and intercrops of first season. The results showed that in the first and second seasons, maize sole crop and maize on maize + cowpea mulch were more productive (2350.19 kg·ha-1 and 2974.82 kg·ha-1 respectively) than maize on maize + soybean mulch. But, Mudishi 3-soya and 07SADVE variety on maize + cowpea mulch obtained the greatest benefit for the various association systems (cost/benefit ratio = 4.04 and 2.01 respectively). Maize varieties have doubled, tripled or quadrupled their yields when rotated with cowpea and soybean, and the high yields observed in this study resulted in significant benefits in increasing their ratios whether in combination or in rotation. These new agricultural production techniques could free the farmer from tillage by leaving the cover plants to ensure equivalent work (DMC).