Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) cropping system: Improved resource use and productivity in Ghana

Abstract

Yam production along the West African yam belt is challenged with deteriorating soil fertility and unavailability of stakes, resulting in decreased yam productivity, and farmers' livelihood. This study evaluated resource use and yam productivity in pigeonpea-yam cropping systems in Ghana's forest and forest-savannah transition zones from 2017 through 2019 cropping seasons. Pigeonpea was established either in an alley or as a border during the 2017 cropping season, while yam was cultivated in 2018 and 2019. A split-plot design of cropping system (yam planted in alleys of pigeonpea—PA; yam planted with pigeonpea as a border—PB and sole yam) as main-plot treatments and chemical fertilizer (0–0–0; 23–23–30; 45–45–60 N-P₂O₅-K₂O kg ha⁻¹) as subplot treatments were used for the study. Productivity data on pigeonpea and yam were collected. The results revealed significantly higher leafy biomass and correspondent higher N content and N due to fixation in PA fields than PB fields in both locations and seasons. The presence of the pigeonpea and its biomass resulted in a significant suppression of ridge erosion and weeds, while soil moisture and nutrients improved, resulting in increased yam tuber productivity than in sole yam production. Further, planting yam with pigeonpea and half (23–23–30 N-P₂O₅-K₂O kg ha⁻¹) the recommended fertilizer rate significantly improved tuber yield and productivity than planting sole yam with full recommended fertilizer level in both locations and seasons. Promoting and adopting the pigeonpea-yam cropping system could sustain soil fertility, provide readily available stakes to address the constraint of deforestation and land degradation associated with yam production.