Effects of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)–Mucuna pruriens intercropping pattern on the agronomic performances of potato and the soil physicochemical properties of the western highlands of Cameroon

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the teaching and research farm of the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences of the University of Dschang to investigate the effects of potato–Mucuna intercropping pattern on the agronomic performances of potatoes and the soil physicochemical properties in western highlands of Cameroon. The experiment design was a randomized complete block with three replications. The treatments included a pure potato stand (T1), pure Mucuna stand (T2), 1:1 (T3), 1:2 (T4), and 2:1 (T5) potato–Mucuna intercropping patterns. The results revealed that potato–Mucuna intercropping patterns had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on potato growth variables, soil physical properties, and the relative crowding coefficient. The highest potato yield (24,913 kg ha−1) and potato equivalent yield (81,513 kg ha−1) were obtained from the 1:1 intercropping pattern. The highest total LER (2.17) and the lowest (1.38) were obtained with 1:1 and 1:2 intercropping patterns, respectively. Area time equivalent ratio values were greater than 1 in 1:1 (1.46) and 2:1 (1.29) intercropping patterns. Mucuna proved to be the most aggressive and competitive species according to Ap and competitive ratio values except for the 1:2 intercropping pattern with K indicating a yield advantage in all intercropping patterns. 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping patterns gave the best C/N (13.94) and cation exchange capacity (36.12 meq 100 g−1), respectively. Late blight incidence was highest (16.88%) on potato sole crop stand and lowest (8.05%) on 1:2 intercropping pattern. Therefore, based on the findings of this experiment, 1:1 or 1:2 intercropping pattern could be recommended in potato–Mucuna intercropping system.

Evaluation of Soil Temperature, Water Productivity and Agronomic Performance of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.)-Legume Intercropping System in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

“…Field preparation consisting of cutting and removal of grasses and stumps, ploughing, laying out of blocks and experimental units took place in mid-February till early March of each year. The different species were planted according to the 1:1 intercropping pattern (Tchapga et al, 2023), on March 15, 2021 for the first year and on March 8, 2022 for the second year with common planting distances of 40 x 80 cm. One potato tuber seed was planted per hole at a depth of 10 cm giving a planting density of 31250 plants.ha -1 (figure 1).…”

Mitigating Plant and Soil Health Options through Climate Resilient Maize-Mungbean Based Intercropping for Rainfed Agriculture

“…Intercropping is most typically used on small-scale farms with limited space, necessitating the growth of many plants on the same plot of agricultural land at one time. Reduced rainfall and/or unpredictable distribution of rainfall may drive farmers to intercrop in order to maximize water use, but this could end in competition for scarce resources in the extreme [4]. The primary advantages of intercropping are decreased failure of growth risk and agricultural diversification, nutritive crops are typically intercropped with commercial crops to help offer both nourishment and additional money [5].…”