A study was conducted in Lilongwe and Dowa districts of central Malawi to assess the performance and productivity of pigeon pea (PP), cowpea (CP) and maize (MZ) when grown as sole crops, legume–legume and legume–cereal intercrops. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Analysis of variance for yields was carried out on a per plant basis and the productivity was assessed by using various competition indices including the land equivalent ratio (LER), relative dry matter yield (RDY), relative nutrient yields and the monetary advantage index (MAI). Results showed significantly higher ( P < 0.05) grain yield per plant for the sole cropped PP and CP than their intercrops, but only slight differences were observed for MZ, at both study sites. However, for overall productivity, results showed higher productivity in terms of yields (LER > 1) and monetary gains (positive MAI values) in all the intercropping systems than sole cropping, at both study sites. Furthermore, the PP + MZ intercrop was the most productive system in terms of yields and monetary gains as it produced the highest LER and MAI values. From this study it is noted that prudent implementation of legume-based diversified intercropping systems including pigeon pea–cowpea and pigeon pea–maize intercrops can play a crucial role in sustaining the intensification of agriculture in smallholder dominated systems.

中文翻译：

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木豆、豇豆和玉米在马拉维中部 Alfisols 上单作、豆类-豆类和豆类-谷物间作的生产力

在马拉维中部的利隆圭和多瓦地区进行了一项研究，以评估木豆 (PP)、豇豆 (CP) 和玉米 (MZ) 作为单一作物、豆类 - 豆类和豆类 - 谷物间作种植时的性能和生产力。实验采用随机完全区组设计 (RCBD)。以每株植物为基础进行产量方差分析，并通过使用各种竞争指数评估生产力，包括土地当量比 (LER)、相对干物质产量 (RDY)、相对养分产量和货币优势指数 (MAI) ）。结果表明，单一种植的 PP 和 CP 的单株谷物产量显着高于间作（ P < 0.05），但在两个研究地点，MZ 仅观察到轻微差异。然而，对于整体生产力，结果表明，在两个研究地点，所有间作系统在产量（LER > 1）和货币收益（正 MAI 值）方面的生产力都高于单作。此外，PP + MZ 间作是产量和货币收益最高的系统，因为它产生了最高的 LER 和 MAI 值。从这项研究中可以看出，谨慎实施以豆类为基础的多样化间作系统，包括木豆-豇豆和木豆-玉米间作，可以在小农主导系统中维持农业集约化方面发挥关键作用。PP + MZ 间作是产量和货币收益最高的系统，因为它产生了最高的 LER 和 MAI 值。从这项研究中可以看出，谨慎实施以豆类为基础的多样化间作系统，包括木豆-豇豆和木豆-玉米间作，可以在小农主导系统中维持农业集约化方面发挥关键作用。PP + MZ 间作是产量和货币收益最高的系统，因为它产生了最高的 LER 和 MAI 值。从这项研究中可以看出，谨慎实施以豆类为基础的多样化间作系统，包括木豆-豇豆和木豆-玉米间作，可以在小农主导系统中维持农业集约化方面发挥关键作用。