Chlorophyll Content Index and Yield Responses of Maize and Banana Plants under Calliandra calothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolia Intercropping in Vihiga County, Kenya

Abstract

High population has led to more demand for food. Subsequently, there is need to expand agricultural land. This has necessitated cutting down of trees. This has led to soil degradation. Nutrient depleted soils and poor cropping systems such as continuous cropping, have contributed to the declining yield, which is a major problem facing farmers in Western Kenya. Intercropping with agroforestry tree species can alleviate soil infertility problems and increase crop productivity through enhanced biological nitrogen fixation, growth and photosynthesis hence ensuring food security. However, intercropping with agroforestry trees may lead to competition for both above ground and below ground resources between crops and trees hence affect the physiology and yield of the component crops. Intercropping maize and bananas with agroforestry trees such as Calliandra