On-farm evaluation of yield and economic benefit of short term maize legume intercropping systems under conservation agriculture in Malawi
Abstract
Low crop yields due to continuous monocropping and deteriorating soil health in smallholder farmers’ fields of sub-Saharan Africa have led to a quest for sustainable production practices with greater resource use efficiency. The aim of the study was to elucidate the short term effects of conservation agriculture (CA) systems on soil quality, crop productivity and profitability. In Balaka market and Ntonda sections of Manjawira Extension Planning Area (EPA), in Ntcheu district, central Malawi, we compared continuous monocropped maize (Zea mays) under conventional tillage practice (CP) with different CA systems in continuous monocropped maize (CAM) and intercropping with pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) (CAMP), Mucuna pruriens (CAMM), and Lablab purpureus (L.) (Sweet) (CAML). The study was conducted from 2008 to 2011 in 72 plots in 24 farmers’ fields. In Balaka market section CA plots with maize+legumes produced up to 4.3Mgha⁻¹ of vegetative biomass against 3.5Mgha⁻¹ for maize alone in CP. In Ntonda section CA plots with maize+legumes produced up to 4.6Mgha⁻¹ of vegetative biomass against 2.4Mgha⁻¹ for maize alone in CP. In both sections, during the entire study period, CA did not have a negative effect on crop yields. During the drier seasons of 2009/10 and 2010/11, CA had a positive effect on maize grain yield at both sites (average yield of 4.4 and 3.3Mgha⁻¹ in CA and CP respectively). However, associating maize with legumes reduced maize yields compared to CAM particularly in drier years of 2009–10 and 2010–11. Farmers spent at most 47daysha⁻¹ producing maize under CA systems compared to 65daysha⁻¹ spent under conventional tillage practices. However, total variable costs were higher in CA systems compared to conventional practice (at most US$416 versus US$344ha⁻¹). CAMP resulted in more than double gross margin compared to CPM (US$705 versus US$344ha⁻¹). Infiltration estimated as time to pond was highest in CA maize legume intercrops (8.1s) than CP (6.8s). Although it was not feasible to directly estimate effects on water balances of these farmer-managed experiments, it can be assumed that the yield differences between CA and CP could be attributed to tillage and crop residue cover since other farm operations were generally the same. Intercropping maize and pigeonpea under CA presents a win-win scenario due to crop yield improvement and attractive economic returns provided future prices of maize and pigeonpea grain remain favourable.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In Malawi, intercropping with a maize-legume system generated a better gross margin (705 US$ over 344 US$), total revenue (1073 US$ over 689 US$), gross benefits (980 US$/ha over 529 US$/ha), and net returns (497 US$/ha over 131 US$/ha) compared to conventional monocropping.
“in Malawi, the intercropping practice with a maize-legume system generated a better gross margin (705 US$ over 344 US$), total revenue (1073 US$ over 689 US$), gross benefits (980 US$/ha over 529 US$/ha), and net returns (497 US$/ha over 131 US$/ha) compared to the conventional monocropping system (Ngwira et al. 2012).”
From The socio-economic performance of agroecology. A review (2024) · cites this paper as Ngwira et al. 2012
In Malawi, no-tillage maize cropping showed higher yield and higher total revenues and gross margin compared to traditional tillage.
“Another example from Malawi showed higher yield and higher total revenues and gross margin for no-tillage maize cropping compared to the use of traditional tillage (Ngwira et al. 2012).”
From The socio-economic performance of agroecology. A review (2024) · cites this paper as Ngwira et al. 2012
In Malawi, intercropping yielded a higher return to labour in two different areas of implementation.
“and in Malawi, it yielded a higher return to labour in two different areas of implementation (Ngwira et al. 2012).”
From The socio-economic performance of agroecology. A review (2024) · cites this paper as Ngwira et al. 2012
Cites
The role of conservation agriculture in sustainable agriculture
Hobbs, P., Sayre, K. D., & Gupta, R. K. (2007) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2007.2169 · Cited by 1,661 · see citing works
Conservation agriculture and smallholder farming in Africa : the heretics ’ view
Giller, K. E., Witter, E., Corbeels, M., & Tittonell, P. (2009) · Field Crops Research · doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2009.06.017 · Cited by 1,499 · see citing works
Soil structure and the effect of management practices
Pagliai, M., Vignozzi, N., & Pellegrini, S. (2004) · Soil and Tillage Research · doi:10.1016/j.still.2004.07.002 · Cited by 888 · see citing works
Livelihoods and Rural Poverty Reduction in Uganda
Ellis, F., & Bahiigwa, G. (2003) · World Development · doi:10.1016/s0305-750x(03)00043-3 · Cited by 699 · see citing works
Current status of adoption of no-till farming in the world and some of its main benefits.
Derpsch, R., Friedrich, T., Kassam, A., & Li, H. (2010) · International journal of agricultural and biological engineering · doi:10.25165/ijabe.v3i1.223 · Cited by 681 · see citing works
Denning, G., Kabambe, P., Sánchez, P., Malik, A., Flor, R., Harawa, R., Nkhoma, P., Zamba, C., Banda, C. K., Magombo, C., et al. (2009) · PLoS Biology · doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1000023 · Cited by 515 · see citing works
Thierfelder, C., & Wall, P. (2009) · Soil and Tillage Research · doi:10.1016/j.still.2009.07.007 · Cited by 475 · see citing works
Govaerts, B., Sayre, K. D., & Deckers, J. (2005) · Soil and Tillage Research · doi:10.1016/j.still.2005.03.005 · Cited by 322 · see citing works
Rockström, J., Kaumbutho, P. G., Mwalley, J., Nzabi, A. W., Temesgen, M., Mawenya, L., Barron, J., Mutua, J., & Damgaard-Larsen, S. (2008) · Soil and Tillage Research · doi:10.1016/j.still.2008.09.013 · Cited by 321 · see citing works
Mazvimavi, K., & Twomlow, S. J. (2009) · Agricultural Systems · doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2009.02.002 · Cited by 305 · see citing works
Africa’s Emerging Maize Revolution
(1997) · Lynne Rienner Publishers eBooks · doi:10.1515/9781685854218 · Cited by 294 · see citing works
Giller, K. E., Corbeels, M., Nyamangara, J., Triomphe, B., Affholder, F., Scopel, É., & Tittonell, P. A. (2011) · Field Crops Research · doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2011.04.010 · Cited by 280 · see citing works
Conservation tillage for sustainable agriculture
Fowler, R., & Rockström, J. (2001) · Soil and Tillage Research · doi:10.1016/s0167-1987(01)00181-7 · Cited by 232 · see citing works
Sakala, W. D., Cadisch, G., & Giller, K. E. (2000) · Soil Biology and Biochemistry · doi:10.1016/s0038-0717(99)00204-7 · Cited by 219 · see citing works
Tailoring Conservation Agriculture to the Needs of Small Farmers in Developing Countries
Wall, P. (2007) · Journal of Crop Improvement · doi:10.1300/j411v19n01_07 · Cited by 211 · see citing works
McGarry, D., Bridge, B. J., & Radford, B. J. (2000) · Soil and Tillage Research · doi:10.1016/s0167-1987(99)00091-4 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Livelihoods and Rural Poverty Reduction in Malawi
Ellis, F., Kutengule, M., & Nyasulu, A. (2003) · World Development · doi:10.1016/s0305-750x(03)00111-6 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
ROTATION IN CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS OF ZAMBIA: EFFECTS ON SOIL QUALITY AND WATER RELATIONS
Thierfelder, C., & Wall, P. (2010) · Experimental Agriculture · doi:10.1017/s001447971000030x · Cited by 183 · see citing works
Goddard, T. W., Zoebisch, M. A., Gan, Y., et al. (2008) · VTechWorks (Virginia Tech) · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Gowing, J. W., & Palmer, M. (2008) · Soil Use and Management · doi:10.1111/j.1475-2743.2007.00137.x · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Adu-Gyamfi, J. J., Myaka, F. A., Sakala, W. D., Odgaard, R., Vesterager, J. M., & Høgh‐Jensen, H. (2007) · Plant and Soil · doi:10.1007/s11104-007-9270-0 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Mtambanengwe, F., & Mapfumo, P. (2005) · Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems · doi:10.1007/s10705-005-2652-x · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Soil nutrient status of smallholder farms in Malawi
Snapp, S. S. (1998) · Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis · doi:10.1080/00103629809370135 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Myaka, F. A., Sakala, W. D., Adu-Gyamfi, J. J., Kamalongo, D., Ngwira, A. R., Odgaard, R., Nielsen, N. E., & Høgh‐Jensen, H. (2006) · Plant and Soil · doi:10.1007/s11104-006-9006-6 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Self-citationKamanga, B. C. G., Waddington, S. R., Robertson, M. J., et al. (2009) · Experimental Agriculture · doi:10.1017/s0014479709990469 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Conservation tillage practice in sub-Saharan Africa: The experience of Sasakawa Global 2000
Ito, M., Matsumoto, T., & Quinones, M. A. (2006) · Crop Protection · doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2006.06.017 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Termite‐ and Mulch‐Mediated Rehabilitation of Vegetation on Crusted Soil in West Africa
Mando, A., Brussaard, L., & Stroosnijder, L. (1999) · Restoration Ecology · doi:10.1046/j.1526-100x.1999.07104.x · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Options for Improving Smallholder Conservation Agriculture in Zambia
Umar, B. B., Aune, J. B., Johnsen, F. H., & Lungu, O. I. (2011) · Journal of Agricultural Science · doi:10.5539/jas.v3n3p50 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Self-citationNaudin, K., Gozé, É., Balarabé, O., Giller, K. E., & Scopel, É. (2010) · Soil and Tillage Research · doi:10.1016/j.still.2010.03.002 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Materechera, S. A., & Mloza-Banda, H. R. (1997) · Soil and Tillage Research · doi:10.1016/s0167-1987(96)01086-0 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
The impact of agricultural liberalisation on food security in Malawi
Chilowa, W. (1998) · Food Policy · doi:10.1016/s0306-9192(98)00062-1 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Aune, J. B., & Lal, R. (1997) · Tropical Agriculture · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Self-citationGuto, S. N., Pypers, P., Vanlauwe, B., de Ridder, N., & Giller, K. E. (2011) · Field Crops Research · doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2011.03.002 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Development, Diffusion and Impact of Conservation Farming in ZambiaPreprint
Haggblade, S., Tembo, G., Haggblade, S., et al. (2003) · RePEc: Research Papers in Economics · doi:10.22004/ag.econ.54464 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Evaluation of the Mehlich 3 soil extractant for upland Malawi soils
Wendt, J. (1995) · Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis · doi:10.1080/00103629509369328 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Agronomics and economics of no-till facultative wheat in the Pacific Northwest, USA
Bewick, L. S., Young, F. L., Alldredge, J. R., et al. (2008) · Crop Protection · doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2007.11.013 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Nutrient Cycling by Acacia Albida (syn. Faidherbia albida ) in Agroforestry Systems
Weil, R. R., & Mughogho, S. K. (1993) · ASA special publication · doi:10.2134/asaspecpub56.c8 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Analysing data from participatory on-farm trials
Coe, R. (2007) · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Høgh‐Jensen, H., Myaka, F. A., Kamalongo, D., et al. (2006) · Plant and Soil · doi:10.1007/s11104-006-0060-x · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Malawi - Poverty and Vulnerability Assessment : Investing in Our Future
Bank, W. (2007) · doi:10.1596/7909 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Integrating new trends in farming systems approaches in Malawi
Mloza-Banda, H. R. (2005) · African Crop Science Conference Proceedings · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
The socio-economic performance of agroecology. A review
Mouratiadou, I., Wezel, A., Kamilia, K., Marchetti, A., Paracchini, M. L., & Bàrberi, P. (2024) · Agronomy for Sustainable Development · doi:10.1007/s13593-024-00945-9 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
“Another example from Malawi showed higher yield and higher total revenues and gross margin for no-tillage maize cropping compared to the use of traditional tillage (Ngwira et al. 2012).”
BackgroundJohn, I., Snapp, S., Nord, A., Chimonyo, V., Gwenambira, C., & Chikowo, R. (2021) · Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment · doi:10.1016/j.agee.2021.107585 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
- Authors
- Ngwira, A. R., Aune, J. B., & Mkwinda, S.
- Affiliations
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NO)
- Malawi Government (MW)
- Corresponding author
- Ngwira, Amos R.
- Venue
- Field Crops Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-06
- Volume
- 132
- Pages
- 149-157
- ISSN
- 0378-4290 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2035072142
- Cited by
- 283
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 42.40
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Field Crops Research (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Management and Crop Yield
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Agricultural Science and Fertilization
- Keywords
- maize-legume intercropping, Cajanus cajan, Mucuna pruriens, Lablab purpureus, maize yield, economic profitability, conventional tillage, soil water infiltration, soil quality, smallholder farmers, vegetative biomass, Malawi, land equivalent ratio
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
