Jm. Ssebuliba et Fm. Itulya, OPTIMAL NITROGEN LEVELS FOR BEANS (PHASEOLUS-VULGARIS L) AND MAIZE (ZEA-MAYS L) INTERCROPS UNDER SEMIARID CONDITIONS IN KENYA, Discovery and innovation, 6(1), 1994, pp. 90-96
Bean cultivars ''Mwezi Moja'', ''Small Rosecoco'', and ''Canadian Wond
er'' were planted in pure stands and in association with maize at vary
ing N levels at Katumani, Machakos. Maize yields were significantly re
duced (P<0.05) by intercropping with beans. On the other hand, bean yi
elds improved as the rates of N increased peaking at 75 Kg N/ha. Inter
cropping, however, significantly (P<0.05) reduced the bean yields (pod
s per plant). Intercropping maize with beans under different N fertili
zer regimes increased the food output per unit land as measured by Lan
d Equivalent Ratios 9% (lowest) to 97% (highest).