African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6947

Full Length Research Paper

Interactive effect of organic manures, mineral fertilizers and seasons on agronomic parameters of intercropped maize (Zea mays. L), common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris. L) on oxisol in the Noun Valley (Cameroon Western Highlands)

Hassan Yap Mfouapon
  • Hassan Yap Mfouapon
  • Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.
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Primus Azinwi Tamfuh
  • Primus Azinwi Tamfuh
  • Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.
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Adalbert Onana Adibime
  • Adalbert Onana Adibime
  • Department Crop Production Technology, College of Technology, University of Bamenda, P. O. Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon.
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Jules Appolinaire Lienou
  • Jules Appolinaire Lienou
  • International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Yaounde, P. O. Box 2008, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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Etienne Mboua
  • Etienne Mboua
  • Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.
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Evariste Desire Moundjeu
  • Evariste Desire Moundjeu
  • Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.
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Cyntia-rita Ngwahimo Ngnokam
  • Cyntia-rita Ngwahimo Ngnokam
  • Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.
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Ismael Foukena Yandintoum
  • Ismael Foukena Yandintoum
  • Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.
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Alexis Boukong
  • Alexis Boukong
  • Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.
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  •  Received: 10 June 2024
  •  Accepted: 06 August 2024
  •  Published: 31 August 2024

Abstract

Intercropping is a common practice among small-scale farmers of common beans and maize in developing countries, but the agronomic performance of these crops is generally poor due to inappropriate farming practices. This study evaluates the interactive effect of season and mineral-organic fertilizers on soil fertility and the agronomic performance of the intercropped common bean-maize system. The field experiment was arranged in a split-split plot design, with the following combinations: season in the first (S1) and second (S2) seasons of 2022, mineral manures, NPK 14-23-14 and 20-10-10 applied at rates of 300 kg/ha (NPK14_300 and NPK20_300) and 600 kg/ha (NPK14_600 and NPK20_600), and organic fertilizers; coffee parchment biochar applied at 2.5 t/ha (Bio_2.5), poultry manure applied at 2.5 (FPP_2.5) and 5.0 (FPP_5.0) t/ha, and a control. The results showed that bean diameter, thousand-seed weight of maize, water pH, and available phosphorus differed significantly (P < 0.05) when season (S), EM (mineral fertilizer), and EO (organic fertilizer) interacted. The NPK14_300 and NPK20_300 treatments were profitable and recommendable to smallholder farmers. In conclusion, integrated soil fertility management and cropping season are recommended in the study area and other similar agro-ecological zones for increased, stable, and sustainable production of the intercropped maize-common bean system.

Key words: Oxisol, organic manure, mineral fertilizer, season, Zea mays, Phaseolus vulgaris, Cameroon Western Highlands.

Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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