Sorghum-cowpea Intercropping: An Effective Technique Against Runoff and Soil Erosion in the Sahel (Saria, Burkina Faso)

Abstract

In the Central Plateau of Burkina Faso, runo † on bare soil amounts to 40% of annual rainfall and soil losses reach 4 to 8 Mg ha ] 1 a ] 1 , despite slopes of under 3%. Several studies have shown that mulching the soil surface can reduce runo † by over 60%. However, the scarcity of straw and the incompatibility of mulching with mechanical soil preparation have prevented the large-scale adoption of the technique. T he study conducted in Saria village where annual rainfall is 800 mm, set out to evaluate the efficacy of sorghum-cowpea intercropping in reducing runo † and erosion. T he study design comprised Ðve plots set up so as to recover runo † and transported solids, on a Ferric lixisol with a slope of 0.7%. Three years results showed that sorghum-cowpea intercropping reduces runo † by 20-30% compared to a sorghum monoculture and by 45-55% compared to a cowpea monoculture. Soil loss is also reduced with intercropping by at least a half compared to sorghum and cowpea monoculture. Moreover, it transpired that sorghum-cowpea intercropping is also beneÐcial in agricultural production terms, since the grain yield of the intercropped plots was double that obtained with sorghum or cowpea monocultures. T he better crop production can be an asset for the widespread use of this technique in the country. An evaluation of the advantages of the legume in terms of nitrogen supplies to the cereal symbiotic Ðxation) and of added soil OM will be useful in (N 2 improving the cost-e †ectiveness of such a technique.

Vertical root distribution in single‐crop and intercropping agricultural systems in Central Kenya

“…Another advantage of intercropping systems is the more efficient utilization of environmental resources, particularly irradiance (Awal et al, 2006) and soil water (Rodrigo et al, 2005), and-in some cases-reduced damage from pests and diseases (Poveda et al, 2008). In addition, the denser ground coverage by the plants may provide greater protection from soil erosion (Zougmore et al, 2000) and weed invasion (van Mourik et al, 2008). Intercropping also gives greater yield stability between years and among sites (Norman et al, 1995).…”

Sowing methods and varying seed rates of cowpea on production potentialof sorghum, sudan grass hybrid and cowpea: A review

“…Zougmore et al (2000) found that sorghum + cowpea intercropping reduced run off by 20-30 % and 45-55 % compared to sole sorghum and sole cowpea, respectively. An increase in soil organic carbon content, available N and P was noticed when cowpea was intercropped with Napier grass under sandy loam conditions of Karnataka (Shekara et al, 2009b).…”

Benefits of Legume Crops in Rotation and Intercropping for Increased Production and Land Use

“…Res. St. (Middle Egypt) during two seasons of 2011/2012and 2012/2013 is located 300 km far south of Cairo the capital. Climate in this region is dry hot in summer with max.…”

“…Zougmore et al (2000) showed that sorghum + cowpea intercrops reduced weeds by 20-30 % compared to solid. Abou-Keriasha et al (2011) found that intercropping cowpea on maize and sorghum reduced weed biomass by 77 and 86% compared with solid plots, respectively.…”