Elizabeth Chinwendu UNEKE

The experiment was carried out at the experimental site of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, to determine the effect of maize kidney bean intercrop on some properties. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three (3) levels of same treatment and replicated three (3) times. The treatment levels are sole kidney bean, sole maize and maize-kidney bean intercrop. Soil parameters determined include; pH, Total Nitrogen, Total organic carbon (TOC), Available phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Exchangeable Acidity, Base saturation, Soil textural classes (sand, silt and clay), these were analyzed before sowing and after harvest. Plant nutrient concentrations, growth parameters, and yield components were also measured. Results showed that intercropping significantly improved soil fertility, with higher pH (5.56), TOC (12.30 g/kg), and TN (0.73 g/kg) compared to sole maize. Intercropping enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium concentrations in kidney bean tissues, while maize showed reduced nutrient concentrations under intercropping, indicating differential nutrient uptake between the two crops. Agronomic performance of kidney bean improved under intercropping, with higher stem girth, vine length, and number of leaves, while maize yield was reduced slightly. The yield of kidney bean was not affected by intercropping at 5% level of significance while the yield of maize was significantly (p <0.05) reduced from 7.23t/ha to 6.45t/ha. In conclusion maize-kidney bean intercropping enhances soil fertility, improves nutrient uptake, and improve yield