Evaluating the effects of different intercropping systems on the growth and yield of SC bounty bean variety

Author

Gurenje, S.

Title

Evaluating the effects of different intercropping systems on the growth and yield of SC bounty bean variety

Abstract

Intercropping is a conservation agricultural practice that is mainly suitable for smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, which contributes to maximizing yields and reducing dependence on supplied inputs. The objective of the study was to determine the most suitable intercrop crop combination among sorghum/bean, maize/bean, groundnut/bean, and sole bean crop in terms of bean growth and yield parameters. A randomized complete block design was used to set up the experiment. Four treatments namely bean sole cropping, maize intercrop, sorghum intercrop, and groundnut intercrop were used. The study measured growth parameters (plant height, pod count, leaf count, and yield) of bean in different intercropping systems. In terms of plant height, the results showed the following order: sole bean>maize/bean>groundnut/bean> sorghum bean intercrop. On pod and leaf count, sole cropping had significantly (p<0.05) higher performance than sorghum and groundnut intercrops. There was no significant difference between sole cropping and maize intercropping on pod count and leaf count. The results showed no significant difference in yield between sole cropping and maize intercrop, with yields of 2054kg/ha and 1907kg/ha, respectively. Maize intercrop showed the best performance among other intercropping systems and produced 1907kg/ha, and this was followed by groundnut intercrop, which produced 1018kg/ha. The sorghum intercrop had the least yield with 774kg/ha. In intercropping, choosing the best intercropping combination is important to ensure high returns and more benefits from practicing intercropping. Selecting compatible crops can also help to take advantage of intercropping systems to improve soil health and reduce weed and pest invasions.

Date

OCTOBER 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

intercropping

leaf count

pod count

yield

sole cropping

Supervisor

Professor R. Mandumbu