Evaluation of Water Use Efficiency and Performance of Selected Pearl Millet Varieties Intercropped With Green Gram in Semi-arid Regions of Kenya

Abstract

In arid regions, crop productivity is strained by low soil moisture due to erratic rainfall and poor distribution. To alleviate this problem, water conservation technologies have been suggested as the option to help increase crop productivity. The study was carried out in Kambi Mawe and Katumani semi-arid areas during the 2022/2023 short rain season to evaluate the effect of water conservation technologies and cropping systems on the performance of selected pearl millet (PM1 and PM3) and green gram (N26 and Biashara) varieties. The evaluation was set in a split plot design, laid out in a RCBD and repeated 3 times. Water conservation technologies (ngolo pits, contour furrows) and conventional tillage as the control were the main plots while the cropping systems (sole pearl millet, sole green gram and their intercrops) were the split plots. The water conservation technologies suggested in this experiment are uncomplicated and not much expensive for smallholder farmers qualifying them economically viable. Data were collected on the soil moisture content, where the soil samples were collected at 0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm depth and determined gravimetrically. Leaf area index, plant, number of leaves, height number of branches and root nodules included the growth parameters. Similarly, yield parameters included number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, 1000 seeds weight and grain yield. Data was also calculated for WUE of pearl millet and green gram. Land equivalent ratio was used to determine the effect of intercropping compared to mono-cropping. Results revealed that water conservation technologies and cropping systems significantly influence (p≤ 0.05) on the soil moisture content, growth parameters, yield and yield components. Ngolo pits recorded higher soil moisture content as well as grain yields compared to contour furrows and conventional tillage in Kambi Mawe and Katumani...