Different Strokes for Different Folks.

Abstract

MA IZ E BE AN THIS SYSTEM HAS 'DOUBLE' LEGUME GRAIN AND 'DOUBLE' SOIL FERTILITY BENEFITS FROM BIOLOGICAL N2-FIXATION. AFTER HARVEST, CROP RESIDUES ARE EITHER LEFT IN THE FIELD AND INCORPORATED AT LAND PREPARATION OR FED TO LIVESTOCK. RESOURCE CONSTRAINED FARMS CONSTITUTE 74% OF THE FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN DEDZA AND NTCHEU DISTRICTS OF MALAWI WHERE AFRICA RISING IS IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION ACTIVITIES. DOUBLED-UP LEGUME TECHNOLOGY ENTAILS INTERCROPPING TWO GRAIN LEGUMES, EXPLOITING THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED BY COMPLEMENTARY GROWTH HABITS AND PLANT ARCHITECTURE. PIGEONPEA GROWS VERY SLOWLY FOR THE FIRST 2 MONTHS AFTER PLANTING AND ONLY STARTS RAPID GROWTH WHEN THE GROUNDNUT IS APPROACHING MATURITY. AFTER BEANS, MAIZE AND GROUNDNUT HARVEST, THE REMAINING PIGEONPEA CONTINUES TO GROW AS A SOLE CROP UNTIL MATURITY.