The Role of Intercropping Selected Maize Cultivars and Forage Legumes on Yield, Weed Dynamics, and Soil Chemical Properties

Intercropping is an important cropping system that has benefits in weed management, protects soil fertility and improves crop yields during climate change. Therefore, this study aimed to assess soil properties, weed dynamics, growth and yield components of selected maize varieties in sole and forage legume intercrops. Two different maize varieties (Pannar 12 and DKC 7372) were planted in different forage systems, which are: sole maize, maize + common vetch, and maize + lablab intercrops. Samples were collected to examine soil chemical properties, weed observations, growth, and yield components. High pH water, soil organic carbon, and available nitrogen values (7.27, 7.82%, and 3.92 mg kg −1 , respectively) for intercrops were recorded in the maize variety DKC 7372, while low values were in sole forage systems. Lower available phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and potassium contents (3.48, 1477.12, 411.98, and 139.10 mg kg −1 , respectively) were observed in the sole forage system for maize varieties Pannar 12 and DKC 7372 than in intercrops. The sole forage system had significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) higher total weed density and total weed biomass values (33.05 no.m −2 and 44.15 g m −2 , respectively) than intercrops in selected maize varieties. The sole forage system had a significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) lower crop growth rate, leaf area, and leaf area index (16.10 gm −2 d −1 , 3.84 m 2 , and 4.86 m 2 m −2 , respectively) than the intercrops in two maize varieties. The intercrops showed a higher grain yield and harvest index (6.29 tha −1 and 53.93%, respectively) in selected maize varieties than in the sole forage system. The study concluded that maize‐forage legume mixtures have a positive effect on the soil fertility, weed management and yield components.