The influence of intercropping and maize (Zea mays L) inter-row spacing on seed yield of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) and maize under semi-arid conditions in Kenya

Two experiments were conducted at the National Dryland Research Centre, Katumani, Kenya, during the October, 1984 and March, 1985 rainy seasons. Bean cultivars NE 1122, NE 518, NE 510, NE 1401, NE 26 and Tepary were spaced at 45cmx10cm and intercropped with maize (Katumani Composite ''B'') spaced at 135cmx30cm, 105rmx30cm, 75cmx30cm, and 45cmx30cm in a randomized complete block design. Intercropping and maize inter-row spacing did not significantly influence (P<0.05) the yield components and seed yield of beans. However, increasing maize population in the interculture tended to adversely affect pod yield and seed yield of beans. In October 1984, intercropping significantly (P<0.05) reduced the grain yield of maize intercropped with NE 510 and NE 1401, while inter-row spacing had no significant (P<0.05) influence on the grain yield. Similar reductions (significant at P less than or equal to 0.05) were recorded when maize was intercropped with NE 518, NE 510, NE 26, and NE 1401. No significant effects were noted on maize intercropped with NE 1122 and Tepary bean. Inter-row spacing at 75cm yielded the lowest grain (significant at P<0.05). Except in a few cases, intercropping was beneficial with Land Equivalent Ratio ranging from 1.04 to 1.94. Differences existed between the crops grown in the short rains, 1984, and those grown in the long rains, 1985, with the yield obtained during the long rains being greater than those of short rains, 1984.