Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, D: Agriculture and Veterinary, Volume 21 Issue 7

Figure 1: Map of the study site (A) with the variation in rainfall over the last ten years (B) and during the year 2018 (C) b) Irrigation system description The irrigation system used was an ASMC prototype design and implemented in 2017 to deliver water homogeneity (Millogo et al., 2021). Major components of the system included a well, a solar planel, a PS-200 HR 07 solar pump, a water tower with a capacity of 2000 L tower, and an irrigation kit consisting of ramps, valves, volumetric meters, emitter lines, and integrated emitters. c) Technical and plant materials The soil sampling equipment included: a hand auger, a metric square; a weighing scale; a bag; an oven; a hand hoe, a sprayer; a caliper; and metric measuring tape. The plant material consisted mainly of maize ( Zea mays ), cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ), groundnut ( Arachis hypogeae ), and mung bean ( Vigna radiata ). The maize variety Streat Resistant N°21 (SR21) with an intermediate cycle (95 days) was used. Its planting-male flowering and planting-maturity cycles are 59 days after planting (DAP) and 95 days to seed, respectively. The height of the plant was 180 cm with an ear insertion height of 90 cm. This variety tolerates some common diseases such as helminthosporiasis, rust and is resistant to MSV (Maize Streat Virus). It is a white maizeed-toothed variety with a potential 5.1 t/ha (Sanou, 2009). This variety is suitable for areas with rainfall between 900 and 1200 mm of water per year. The cowpea was variety KVx442-3-25SH (Komcalé), a precocious and drought-tolerant variety with a potential yield of 1.5 to 2 tonnes/ha (CNS, 2014). The peanut variety Fleur11, was chosen because of its short cycle with a potential yield of 2.5 tons/ha (CNS, 2014). The mung bean was species Vigna Radiata. d) Fertilization We used both organic and mineral fertilizers. 320 g of NPK (14-23-14) and urea 320 g (46%) were used for mineral fertilizers in equal amounts in all plots (320 g). Mineral fertilizers were used under a special authorization to meet only farmer standard practices. For organic fertilization, cattle manure was incorporated before soil preparation (10 t/ha). Soil covering/mulching was with rice straw. The straw was applied at the rate of 3 tons/ha with a thickness of 5 cm. e) Experimental Design The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a total area of 637 m 2 (Figure 2). Two factors were considered in the study. The first factor was the crop associated with four levels (groundnut, cowpea, mung bean, and legume-free). The second factor was soil cover with two patterns (without mulch and with mulch). The trial consisted of 04 replicates and 08 treatments. Each plot was 16 m 2 (5.7 m × 2.8 m). The inter-block and inter-plot spacings were 1 m and 0.4 m, respectively. The treatments were: (i) MwRP: Maize + Peanut with Rice Straw, (ii) MfRP: Maize + Peanut without Straw, (iii) MwRC: Maize + Cowpea with Rice Straw, (iv) MfRC: Maize + Cowpea without Straw, (v) MwRMb: Maize + Mung bean with Rice Straw, (vi) MfRMb: Maize + Mung bean without straw, (vii) MwLf: Maize + Straw without legumes, (viii) MfLf: Maize without Straw without Legumes. 1 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXI Issue VII Year 2021 3 ( D ) © 2021 Global Journals Version I Effects of Cereal-Legume Intercropping and Mulching on Maize ( Zea Mays L.) Productivity in Dry Season using Drip Irrigation in South-Sudanian Climatic Zone of Burkina Faso