







































 

 

 
50 

© 2023 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

Growth, chlorophyll content and yield of maize and banana plants in an agroforestry system 
in Kisii County, Kenya   

 

 

 Dickrecious 
Wafula1 

 Musyimi David 
Mutisya2+ 

 Phoebe Sikuku 
Anyango3 

1,2,3Department of Botany, School of Physical and Biological Sciences, Maseno 
University, Kenya. 
1Email: dickreciouswafula@gmail.com  
2Email: dmusyimi@maseno.ac.ke  
3Email: sphoebe@maseno.ac.ke  

 

 
(+ Corresponding author) 

 ABSTRACT 
 
Article History 
Received: 31 January 2023 
Revised: 4 July 2023 
Accepted: 20 July 2023 
Published: 7 August 2023  
 

Keywords 
Agroforestry 
Calliandra callothyrsus  
Chlorophyll 
Growth 
Leucaena diversifolia 
Intercropping  
Sesbania sesban  
Maize 
Yield. 

 
Diverse tree species when employed in agroforestry systems may serve as an  
alternative to increasing soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. However, it is not 
clearly known how intercropping maize and banana with Sesbania sesban, Calliandra 
callothyrsus and Leucaena diversifolia may affect growth of maize and banana. The 
purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intercropping agroforestry trees  
species with maize and banana on the growth, chlorophyll content and yield of maize 
and banana. Field experiment was laid out at Kenya Agricultural Livestock and 
Research Organization farm (KALRO) located in Kisii County. The Williams varieties 
of banana of the same age were obtained from KALRO -Thika and Hybrid seed maize, 
H513 obtained from Kenya seed company, Kisumu. The agroforestry tree seedlings 
were spaced: 0.5m by 1m, 0.9m by 0.9m by 0.6m deep and 0.3m by 0.75m between 
banana and maize respectively. Three replicates were used with seven treatments of 
Pure maize, pure banana, maize-banana-Calliandra, maize-banana-Leucaena, maize-
banana-sesbania, maize-banana and maize-fertilizer, all in a randomized complete block 
design. Data on maize growth and chlorophyll content was collected at intervals of 2 
weeks which commenced 30 days after planting while yield was determined at the end 
of growing seasons. Data was subjected to the Analysis of Variance. Maize plants and 
banana that were intercropped with Sesbania sesban had significantly (P≤0.05) highest 
growth, chlorophyll content and yield compared to other treatments. Therefore, 
Sesbania sesban is recommended as a suitable agroforestry tree species for 
intercropping with maize and bananas. 
 

Contribution/Originality: This study is one of very few studies conducted in Kisii county, Kenya to evaluate 

the effect of intercropping Sesbania sesban, Calliandra callothyrsus and Leucaena diversifolia on growth, chlorophyll 

content and yield of maize and bananas. 

 

1. INTRODUCTION 

 Smallholder farmers are the most important food security stakeholders in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), who 

mainly practice subsistence agriculture characterized by low plant growth and productivity due to soil nutrient 

depletion [1]. Integrated farming system such as agroforestry is regarded to promote sustainable farming in the 

region [2]. For instance, Birhane, et al. [3] reported that Sesbania sesban improved soil fertility, overall plant 

growth and yield. Although intercropping with agroforestry trees is being promoted for nutrient restoration in 

depleted soils through nitrogen fixation, maize and banana may be affected by competition for water and nutrients 

Current Research in Agricultural Sciences 
2023 Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 50-61 
ISSN(e): 2312-6418 
ISSN(p): 2313-3716 
DOI: 10.18488/cras.v10i2.3417 
© 2023 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1684-1856
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8729-5870
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7166-6904
mailto:dickreciouswafula@gmail.com
mailto:dmusyimi@maseno.ac.ke
mailto:sphoebe@maseno.ac.ke
https://www.doi.org/10.18488/cras.v10i2.3417


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51 

© 2023 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

from agroforestry trees impacting negatively on their growth. However the use of agroforestry system is limited in 

Kisii County, evidenced by lack of documentation on how intercropping maize and banana with selected 

agroforestry trees impacts on growth of maize and banana. Chlorophyll is also an important photosynthetic 

pigment to maize and banana plants, largely determining photosynthetic capacity and hence plant growth [4]. 

When considering on the importance of Chlorophyll for photosynthesis, plants in the natural community should 

optimize light absorption and photosynthesis by adjusting the content and ratios of chlorophyll to enhance growth 

and survival at the long-term evolutionary scale [5]. However, due to limited use of agroforestry system, it is still 

unknown if intercropping with selected agroforestry trees such as Calliandra callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and 

Leucaena diversifolia can impact on maize and banana chlorophyll content in Kisii County. 

Estimates have placed maize’s yield gap in Sub Saharan Africa at 20% and have projected that the average yield 

needs to increase at an annual rate of 2% by 2050 in order to feed the growing population [6]. Additional to maize, 

banana is also a key crop in Kisii County grown for both subsistence and commercial use under an area of 82,518 ha 

[7]. Banana having a shallow root system spread on top of the soil, it’s a heavy feeder of nutrients and its growth 

and fruit production need proper manuring and fertilizer application for potential yields [8]. Consequently, poor 

soil fertility as a result of monocropping has emerged as one of the greatest biophysical constraint to increasing 

agricultural productivity hence threatening food security in Sub-Saharan Africa [9]. Moreover, majority of these 

farmers lack financial resources to purchase sufficient amount of mineral fertilizers to replace soil nutrients removed 

through harvested crop products and through loss by runoff, leaching and gas form [10]. Maintaining yields calls 

for detailed assessment of limiting nutrients and the adoption of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) 

practices for long-term productivity and profitability of the system [11]. However, this has not been determined in 

Kisii County. There was therefore need for intercropping maize and banana with agroforestry trees in Kisii region 

which may improve growth, chlorophyll content and yield of maize and banana and reduce food insecurity. The 

objective of this study was to determine growth, chlorophyll content and yield of Maize and banana plants in an 

agroforestry tree intercrop system in Kisii County. 

 

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 

2.1. Study Site and Experimental Design 

The study was carried out at Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organisation farm (KALRO) located 

in Kisii County (Figure 1), which is characterized by very small landholdings, ranging from 0.2 Ha to 2.1 Ha (0.5 

acres-5.18 acres) of land. The region enjoys a highland climate found in latitude 0o 40’ 0.00’’ N and longitude 34o 45’ 

0.00’’ E. Kumba [12] the area receives rainfall all year round, thanks to its positioning in the Lake Victoria basin 

and the densely foliaged Kisii highlands [13].  

 

 
Figure 1. Shows a map of Kenya and Kisii County, study site, Kisii KALRO. 

Source:  Google map. 

 



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The temperatures are highest on average in February, at around 20.6 °C. In July, the average temperature is 

18.5 °C [14]. About 75% of the area has red volcanic soils which are deep in organic matter which offer 

opportunities for farming, the rest being clay soils which have poor drainage, red loams and sandy soils [15]. 

Williams varieties of banana were obtained from KALRO in Thika and Hybrid seed maize, H613 were obtained 

from Kenya seed company, Kisumu. Certified agroforestry tree seeds were purchased from Kenya Forestry Research 

Institute (KEFRI), Muguga and were sown in a nursery that was watered daily and later transplanted to the 

respective plots after two months. Agroforestry trees were planted in rows of spacing of 0.5m by 1m. Banana holes 

were dug 0.9m by 0.9m by 0.6m deep. 20kg of cow dung manure, 20kg of topsoil and 200g of NPK (nitrogen, 

phosphorus and potassium) fertilizer was applied into each banana hole. Banana spacing was 3m by 2.5m in pure 

banana stands, 6m by 2.5m in maize banana intercrops and maize spacing 0.75m by 30cm. Three replicates were 

used with seven treatment levels of Pure maize (M), pure banana (B), maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), maize-

banana-leuceana (MBL), maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), maize-banana (MB) and maize-fertilizer (MF) all in a 

randomized complete block design (RCBD). Sesbania sesban, Calliandra callothyrsus and Leucaena diversifolia were  

maintained through pruning at three weeks interval. Leafy prunings from the three agroforestry tree species were 

applied in between the maize and banana rows after pruning. 

 

2.2. Measurement of Parameters 

2.2.1. Growth Parameters 

2.2.1.1. Plant Height 

Plant height of maize and banana plants were measured from the soil level at the stem base to the shoot apex of 

the plant using a piece of wood calibrated using a metre rule up to 4 metres. Measurement commenced after 4 

weeks of maize planting and 16th week of banana growth respectively. Maize and banana measurements were 

carried out at intervals of two weeks. Thirty maize and four banana plants per replicate per treatment were 

randomly sampled and tagged for measurement up to physiological maturity. 

 

2.2.1.2. Leaf Number 

Leaf number was determined by counting the number of leaves on maize and banana plants per treatment per 

replicate. Measurement commenced after 4 weeks of maize planting and 16th week of banana growth respectively. 

Maize and banana leaf count was carried out at intervals of two weeks. Thirty maize and four banana plants per 

replicate per treatment were randomly sampled and tagged for measurement up to physiological maturity. 

 

2.2.1.3. Leaf Area 

Leaf area of maize and banana plants were determined using a tape measure. The measurements were taken 

with the procedure, AL=0.73(LL X WL), where AL is the leaf area, LL is the leaf length, and WL is the maximum 

width measured for each leaf on each plant. Measurement commenced after 4 weeks of maize planting and 16th week 

of banana growth respectively. Maize and banana measurements were carried out at intervals of two weeks. Thirty 

maize and four banana plants per replicate per treatment were randomly sampled and tagged for measurement up to 

physiological maturity. 

 

2.3. Chlorophyll Content 

Chlorophyll content of maize and banana plants was estimated using a portable chlorophyll meter (SPAD - Soil 

Plant Analyses Development tool, -502, Konica Minolta Company, Tokyo, Japan). This was achieved by clamping 

SPAD chlorophyll meter to the third youngest and exposed leaf on thirty maize and four bananas and the average 

calculated. Measurement commenced after 4 weeks of maize planting and 16th week of banana growth respectively. 

Maize and banana chlorophyll content determined at intervals of two weeks up to physiological maturity. 



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2.4. Harvest Yield 

Maize cobs from eight middle rows per replicate per treatment were harvested and weight determined using a 

spring balance and recorded. Five maize cobs were sampled out and shelled and fresh weight of the grains 

determined by analytical balance machine model, SKS 4520, Shimadzu-Japan.  Maize grain yield was calculated 

using the ear fresh weight, and the adjusted moisture content percentage (from 10 to 15%) as described by Ngoune 

Tandzi and Mutengwa [16]. 

                 Grain yield (t/ha) = (Fresh ear weight (kg/plot) × 10 × (100 − MC) × 0.8) 

                                                (100 − adjusted MC) × Plot Area 

In this case, fresh ear weight is in kg, moisture content (MC) of grains and adjusted MC in percentage (%), 0.8 

is the shelling coefficient, and the harvested plot area is in m2. 

Banana yield measurement (bunch weight) was taken at the time of harvest. Four banana stems that were 

randomly tagged in each treatment were selected for harvesting. Bunch weight was determined using spring 

balance model, PCE-CS 300, Shimadzu-Japan. 

 

2.5. Data analysis 

Data obtained from the study was subjected to Statistical Analysis System (SAS) version 9.1, to determine 

whether there were any significant effects among the treatments. Means that were considered significantly different 

were separated using least significant difference (LSD) at p≤0.05. 

 

3. RESULTS 

3.1. Maize Height 

Maize plant height showed significant differences (P≤0.05) among treatments Table 1. At week 12 maize 

recorded significantly taller plants in MF treatment followed by MBS, MBC, MBL, M and lowest in MB for both 

short and long rain season.  

 

Table 1. Shows the effect of intercropping maize and banana with Calliandra callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolia on maize plant 
height for short and long rain seasons. 

Short rain season- August to December 2018 

Parameter Intercropping WK 4 WK 6 WK8 WK10 WK12 Overall mean 

  
Maize plant 
Height (cm) 
  
  
  
  

MF 44.87a 80.00a 92.67a 171.87a 235.20a 124.92a 

MBS 42.80b 75.50b 95.13a 168.70b 229.93b 122.41b 

MBC 39.23c 72.77c 91.80a 162.50c 219.90c 117.24c 

MBL 36.23d 70.90d 87.17ab 156.73d 214.93d 113.19d 

M 33.10e 66.17e 79.80b 151.43e 210.10e 108.12e 
MB 32.13f 61.07f 67.50c 145.90f 203.80f 102.08f 

lsd (0.05) 0.55 1.68 8.34 1.61 2.69 2.18 
Long rain season- April- August 2019 
Parameter Intercropping WK 4 WK 6 WK8 WK10 WK12 Overall mean 

  
Maize plant 
height 
  
  
  
 

MF 47.20a 83.93a 101.57a 176.60a 240.30a 129.92a 

MBS 45.83b 80.57b 95.47b 173.67b 235.57b 126.22b 

MBC 41.63c 74.53c 95.33b 168.13c 218.87c 119.70c 

MBL 38.23d 72.80d 89.63c 159.70d 216.63d 115.40d 

M 35.13e 66.60d 84.33d 153.23e 211.27e 110.11e 
MB 30.87f 60.07e 79.50e 147.27f 206.90f 104.92f 

lsd (0.05) 0.71 1.45 3.62 1.66 1.21 2.18 
 

Note: Means with the same letter down the column are not significantly different at P≤0.05. 
 Pure maize (M), Pure banana (B), Maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), Maize-banana-leuceana (MBL), Maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), Maize-banana (MB) and Maize-

fertilizer (MF). 

 

 

 



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3.2. Maize Leaf Number 

Maize leaf number showed significant differences (P≤0.05) among treatments Table 2. At week 12, maize 

recorded significantly higher leaf number in MF treatment followed by MBS, MBC, MBL, treatments that were not 

significantly different (P≥0.05) from each other. Moreover, M and MB treatments recorded lowest leaf numbers 

that were not significantly different (P≥0.05) from each other for both short and long rain season.  

 

Table 2. Shows the effect of intercropping maize and banana with Calliandra callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolia on 
maize leaf number for short and long rain seasons. 

Short rain season August to December 2018 

Parameter Intercropping WK 4 WK 6 WK8 WK10 WK12 Overall mean 

  
Maize 
leaf 
number 
  
 

MF 7.10a 8.20a 11.20a 12.93a 13.67a 10.62a 
MBS 6.57b 7.40b 9.70b 10.47b 12.53b 9.33ab 

MBC 6.53b 7.33b 9.60b 10.40b 12.47b 9.27ab 
MBL 6.50b 7.47b 9.63b 10.33b 12.46b 9.28ab 
M 6.00c 6.30c 7.73c 9.37c 10.60c 8.00b 
MB 5.90c 6.50c 7.67c 9.40c 10.67c 8.03b 

lsd (0.05) 0.26 0.26 0.32 0.28 0.77 1.78 
Long rain season April to August 2019 
Parameter Intercropping WK 4 WK 6 WK8 WK10 WK12 Overall mean 

  
Maize 
leaf 
number 
  
  
  

MF 8.20a 10.40a 12.27a 13.70a 14.83a 11.88a 

MBS 7.37b 8.30b 10.23b 10.97c 12.56b 9.89b 

MBC 7.33bc 8.17b 10.33b 11.43b 12.57b 9.97b 

MBL 7.13c 8.20b 10.40b 11.43b 12.60b 9.95b 

M 6.07d 6.87c 8.10c 9.86d 11.10c 8.40b 
MB 6.10d 6.83c 8.10c 9.67d 10.90c 8.32b 

lsd (0.05) 0.22 0.23 0.32 0.46 0.24 1.78 
 

Note: Means with the same letter down the column are not significantly different at P≤0.05. 
 Pure maize (M), Pure banana (B), Maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), Maize-banana-leuceana (MBL), Maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), Maize-banana (MB) and 

Maize-fertilizer (MF). 

 

3.3. Maize Leaf Area 

Maize leaf area showed significant differences (P≤0.05) among treatments Table 3.  At week 12, maize recorded 

significantly higher leaf area in MF treatment followed by MBS, MBC, MBL, treatments that were not significantly 

different (P≥0.05) from each other. Moreover, M and MB treatments recorded lowest leaf area that were not 

significantly different (P≥0.05) from each other for both short and long rain seasons.  

 

Table 3. Shows the effect of intercropping maize and banana with Calliandra callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolia on 
maize leaf area for short and long rain seasons. 

Short rain season August to December 2018 

Parameter Intercropping WK 4 WK 6 WK8 WK10 WK12 Overall mean 

  
Maize 
leaf 
area 
(Cm2) 
  
  

MF 95.10a 171.07a 378.00a 795.17a 676.87a 423.24a 

MBS 91.17b 168.00b 373.33b 788.53b 670.87b 418.38b 

MBC 90.57bc 167.70b 373.83b 787.47b 670.46b 418.01b 

MBL 90.13c 167.03b 373.13b 788.50b 671.10b 417.98b 
M 88.20d 160.37c 369.93c 776.03c 665.50c 412.01c 
MB 88.17d 160.33c 369.97c 775.90c 665.27c 411.93c 

lsd (0.05) 0.79 1.12 1.41 1.96 1.99 2.81 

Long rain season April to August 2019 

Parameter Intercropping WK 4 WK 6 WK8 WK10 WK12 Overall mean 

  
Maize 
leaf 
area 
(Cm2) 
  
  

MF 98.07a 174.97a 380.27a 798.83a 680.13a 426.45a 

MBS 93.10b 172.16bc 375.63b 794.47b 676.47b 422.37b 

MBC 93.66b 171.87c 375.17b 794.63b 674.63b 328.83d 

MBL 93.67b 173.37b 374.97b 795.57b 674.47b 422.41b 
M 89.43c 167.10d 374.10b 785.46c 670.90c 417.40c 
MB 88.83c 166.43d 372.23c 785.40c 670.83c 416.74c 

lsd (0.05) 1.19 1.46 1.76 2.27 3.30 3.56 
 

Note: Means with the same letter down the column are not significantly different at P≤0.05. 
 Pure maize (M), Pure banana (B), Maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), Maize-banana-leuceana (MBL), Maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), Maize-banana (MB) and 

Maize-fertilizer (MF). 



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3.4. Banana Height 

At week 25 of banana planting, MBS treatments had higher banana heights followed by MBL, MBC, B and 

lowest in MB treatment Table 4 . However, there was no significant difference among the treatments. 

 

Table 4. Shows the effect of intercropping maize and banana with Calliandra callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolia on banana 
height for short and long rain seasons. 

Short rain season-August to December 

Parameter Intercropping WK 17 WK 19 WK 21 WK 23 WK 25 Overall mean 

  
Banana 
height (cm) 
  
  

MBS 58.00a 89.97a 112.02a 129.97a 151.33a 108.26a 

MBC 58.00a 90.00a 112.01a 130.22a 150.04a 108.05a 

MBL 58.00a 90.00a 112.21a 130.03a 150.09a 108.07a 

B 57.37a 89.66a 111.30a 129.33a 149.30a 107.39a 
MB 57.33a 89.00a 111.33a 129.27a 149.33a 107.25a 

lsd (0.05) 2.31 5.59 7.13 2.84 3.18 3.04 
Long rain season- April to August 
Parameter Intercropping WK 52 WK 54 WK 56 WK 58 WK 60 Overall mean 

  
Banana 
height (cm) 
  
  
 

MBS 214.70a 235.00a 250.12a 269.73a 294.30a 252.77a 

MBC 215.51a 235.24a 250.00a 269.96a 295.04a 253.15a 

MBL 215.22a 235.03a 250.07a 270.06a 294.96a 253.07a 

B 215.03a 234.63a 249.36a 269.63a 294.33a 252.60b 
MB 214.63a 234.67a 250.03a 270.00a 294.93a 252.85a 

lsd (0.05) 1.19 1.46 1.76 2.27 3.30 3.04 
 

Note: Means with the same letter down the column are not significantly different at P≤0.05. 
 Pure maize (M), Pure banana (B), Maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), Maize-banana-leuceana (MBL), Maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), Maize-banana (MB) and 

Maize-fertilizer (MF). 

 

3.5. Banana Leaf Number 

At week 25 of banana planting, MBC treatments had higher banana leaf number followed by MBS, MBL, B and 

lowest in MB treatment Table 5 . However, there was no significant difference (P≥0.05) among the treatments. 

 

Table 5. Shows the effect of intercropping maize and banana with Calliandra callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolia on banana 
leaf number for short and long rain seasons. 

Short rain season-August to December 2018 

Parameter Intercropping WK 17 WK 19 WK 21 WK 23 WK 25 Overall mean 

  
Banana 
leaf 
number 
  
  

MBS 9.80a 10.28a 11.33a 12.30a 13.33a 11.41a 
MBC 9.77a 10.27a 11.35a 12.33a 13.36a 11.42a 
MBL 9.81a 10.24a 11.32a 12.28a 13.31a 11.39a 
B 9.73a 10.20a 11.30a 12.23a 13.29a 11.35a 
MB 9.30a 10.23a 11.16a 12.26a 13.20a 11.23a 

lsd (0.05) 0.13 0.31 0.34 0.27 0.22 2.20 
Long rain season- April to August 2019 
Parameter Intercropping WK 52 WK 54 WK 56 WK 58 WK 60 Overall mean 

  
Banana 
leaf 
number 
  

MBS 14.30a 14.83a 15.17a 15.43a 15.86a 15.12a 
MBC 14.33a 14.82a 15.20a 15.47a 15.83a 15.13a 
MBL 14.36a 14.80a 15.20a 15.46a 15.80a 15.12a 
B 14.20a 14.73a 15.13a 15.37a 15.81a 15.05a 
MB 14.23a 14.75a 15.10a 15.45a 15.76a 15.06a 

lsd (0.05) 0.18 0.15 0.18 0.19 0.20 2.70 
 

Note: Means with the same letter down the column are not significantly different at p≤0.05. 
Pure maize (M), Pure banana (B), Maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), Maize-banana-leuceana (MBL), Maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), Maize-banana (MB) and Maize-
fertilizer (MF). 

 

3.6. Banana Leaf Area 

Intercropping treatments had no significant (P≥0.05) effect on banana leaf area according to their respective 

treatments, except for week 54 of banana growth which showed significant differences (P≤0.05) among treatments 

Table 6. At week 54 of the long rain season, MBC and MB had significantly (P≤0.05) higher banana leaf area while 

MBS, MBL and B had lower banana leaf area though not significantly different (P≥0.05).  

 



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Table 6. Shows the effect of intercropping maize and banana with aCalliandra callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolias on banana leaf 
area for short and long rain seasons. 

Short rain season- August to December 2018 

Parameter Intercropping WK 17 WK 19 WK 21 WK 23 WK 25 Overall mean 

  
Banana 
leaf 
area (cm2) 
  

MBS 1409.46a 1556.13a 2156.53a 2509.06a 2710.03ab 2068.42a 
MBC 1408.43a 1556.93ab 2154.90a 2509.93a 2709.96ab 2068.03a 
MBL 1408.13a 1558.36a 2156.40a 2510.00a 2711.73a 2068.92a 

B 1408.16a 1556.96ab 2155.46a 2509.86a 2710.06ab 2068.10a 
MB 1408.53a 1557.00a 2154.93a 2508.60a 2710.06ab 2067.82a 

lsd (0.05) 2.35 1.85 2.30 2.47 2.15 2.70 
Long rain season- April to August 2019 
Parameter Intercropping WK 52 WK 54 WK 56 WK 58 WK 60 Overall mean 

  
Banana 
leaf 
area  
(cm2) 

MBS 5880.33a 6078.86b 6169.90a 6249.83a 6458.10a 6167.40a 
MBC 5878.80a 6084.10a 6170.80a 6250.36a 6458.73a 6168.56a 
MBL 5879.86a 6079.33b 6171.93a 6250.90a 6459.63a 6168.33a 
B 5878.50a 6080.03b 6172.53a 6249.83a 6459.30a 6168.04a 

MB 5879.20a 6081.16a 6172.13a 6250.60a 6459.73a 6168.56a 

lsd (0.05) 3.77 3.84 3.42 3.46 2.70 2.93 
 

Note: Means with the same letter down the column are not significantly different at p≤0.05. 
 Pure maize (M), Pure banana (B), Maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), Maize-banana-leuceana (MBL), Maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), Maize-banana (MB) and Maize-

fertilizer (MF). 

 

3.7. Maize Chlorophyll Content 

Maize chlorophyll content was significantly different (P≤0.05) and higher in MF followed by MBS, MBC, 

MBL, M and lowest in MB Table 7. The trend was same for all the weeks and the two seasons of data collection 

except for week 12 of long rain season where chlorophyll content in MF, MBS and MBC was significantly different 

(P≤0.05) while MBC and MBL had lower chlorophyll content though no significantly different (P≥0.05). M and 

MB treatments had the lowest chlorophyll content which were not significantly different (P≥0.05) from each other. 

Generally, MBS treatment had significantly higher chlorophyll content among the agroforestry tree treatments. 

 

Table 7. Shows the effect of intercropping maize and banana with Calliandra callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolia on 
maize chlorophyll content for short and long rain seasons. 

Short rain season August to December 2018 

Parameter Treatment WK 4 WK 6 WK 8 WK 10 WK 12 Overall mean 

  
Maize 
chlorophyll 
content 
(SPAD 
values) 
 

MF 42.57a 45.27a 48.77a 50.63a 49.60a 47.37a 
MBS 40.53b 44.40b 47.33b 49.10b 48.43b 45.96a 
MBC 38.00c 40.60c 43.17c 46.00c 44.77c 42.51b 
MBL 36.80d 39.10d 40.23d 44.30d 43.60d 40.81bc 
M 35.40e 37.97e 39.50e 42.97e 41.20e 39.41c 
MB 34.13f 35.93f 38.90f 40.33f 39.76f 37.81c 

lsd (0.05) 0.40 0.33 0.37 0.44 0.59 3.08 
Long rain season April to August 2019 
Parameter Treatment WK 4 WK 6 WK 8 WK 10 WK 12 Overall mean 

  
Maize 
chlorophyll 
content 
(SPAD 
values) 
  

MF 45.90a 47.07a 50.03a 54.67a 52.87a 50.11a 
MBS 44.10b 45.60b 48.53b 53.10b 50.40b 48.35ab 
MBC 40.53c 43.10c 47.20c 52.10c 48.73c 46.33bc 
MBL 38.77d 42.33d 46.03d 49.90d 48.27c 45.06cd 
M 37.83e 39.50e 43.40e 47.90e 46.20d 42.97de 
MB 35.03f 38.50f 42.03f 46.93f 45.63d 41.62e 

lsd (0.05) 0.35 0.40 0.51 0.36 0.96 2.81 
 

Note: Means with the same letter down the column are not significantly different at P≤0.05. 
Pure maize (M), Pure banana (B), Maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), Maize-banana-leuceana (MBL), Maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), Maize-banana (MB) 
and Maize-fertilizer (MF). 

 

3.8. Banana Chlorophyll Content 

At week 25 of banana planting, MBC treatments had higher banana chlorophyll content followed by MBS, 

MBL, MB and lowest in B treatment Table 8. However, there was no significant difference (P≥0.05) among the 

treatments. 



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© 2023 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

Table 8. Shows the effect of intercropping maize and banana with Calliandra callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifoliaon banana 
chlorophyll content for short and long rain seasons. 

Short rain season August to December 2018 

Parameter Treatment WK 17 WK 19 WK 21 WK 23 WK 25 Overall mean 

  
Banana 
chlorophyll 
content 
(SPAD values) 
  

MBS 41.70a 43.33a 44.46a 45.31a 46.53a 44.27a 
MBC 41.66a 43.35a 44.50a 45.33a 46.58a 44.28a 
MBL 41.70a 43.30a 44.53a 45.36a 46.51a 44.28a 
M 41.53a 43.20a 44.33a 45.28a 46.36a 44.14a 
MB 41.63a 43.22a 44.48a 45.27a 46.40a 44.20a 

lsd (0.05) 1.24 0.65 0.99 0.77 0.93 2.70 
Long rain season April to August 2019 
Parameter Treatment WK 52 WK 54 WK 56 WK 58 WK 60 Overall mean 

  
Banana 
chlorophyll 
content 
(SPAD values) 
  

MBS 56.30a 57.16a 58.28a 59.06a 58.61a 57.88a 
MBC 56.36a 57.29a 58.17a 59.10a 58.53a 57.89a 
MBL 56.27a 57.22a 58.20a 59.20a 58.60a 57.90a 
M 56.23a 57.06a 58.10a 59.00a 58.58a 57.79a 
MB 56.25a 57.10a 58.03a 59.03a 58.50a 57.78a 

lsd (0.05) 0.35 0.40 0.51 0.36 0.96 3.04 
 

Note: Means with the same letter down the column are not significantly different at p≤0.05. 
 Pure maize (M), Pure banana (B), Maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), Maize-banana-leuceana (MBL), Maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), Maize-banana (MB) and Maize-

fertilizer (MF). 

 

3.9. Maize Yield 

Maize yield per hectare was significantly different (P≤0.05) across all treatments and for both short and long 

rain seasons Table 9 . MF treatment had the highest maize yield per hectare followed by MBS, MBC, MBL, M and 

lowest in MB treatment. The trend was observed for both short and long rain season. Generally, MBS treatment 

had significantly higher maize yield per hectare among the agroforestry tree treatments. 

 

Table 9. Shows the effect of intercropping maize and banana with Calliandra callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolia on maize yield 
for short and long rain seasons. 

Intercropping 

Short rain season- August to December 2018 Long rain season-April to August 2019 

Yield (t/ha) Yield (t/ha) 

MF 3.16a 5.26a 
MBS  2.76b 4.13b 
MBC 2.44c 3.31c 
MBL 2.26d 2.93d 
M 2.12e 2.60e 

MB 1.42f 1.01f 

lsd (0.05) 0.06 0.08 
 

Note: Means with the same letter down the column are not significantly different at P≤0.05. 
 Pure maize (M), Pure banana (B), Maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), Maize-banana-leuceana (MBL), Maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), Maize-banana (MB) and Maize-

fertilizer (MF). 

 

3.10. Banana Yield 

Banana yield was significantly different (P≤0.05) among treatments Table 10.  

 

Table 10. Shows the effect of intercropping maize and banana with Calliandra 
callothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolia on banana yield for short 
and long rain seasons. 

Intercropping 

Long rain season-April to August 2019 

Banana bunch weight (Kg) 

MBS  28.50a 
MBC 24.83b 
MBL 21.33c 
B 18.00d 
MB 16.70d 

lsd (0.05) 1.47 
 

Note: Means with the same letter down the column are not significantly different at 
P≤0.05. 
Pure maize (M), Pure banana (B), Maize-banana-caliandra (MBC), Maize-banana-
leuceana (MBL), Maize-banana-sesbania (MBS), Maize-banana (MB) and Maize-
fertilizer (MF). 



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MBS treatment had the highest bunch weight followed by MBC, MBL, B and lowest in MB treatment. 

Agroforestry tree treatments had higher banana yield and best performance in MBS treatment. During the first 

season of banana of planting data on banana yield was not taken since the banana plants had not matured yet. 

 

4. DISCUSSION 

The agroforestry trees were found to increase maize height with higher maize plants recorded in Sesbania sesban 

as compared to those treatments without the agroforestry trees except for fertilized maize. Even though the 

fertilizer plots were seen to produce positive results, it has however been earlier reported to have significant 

pollution effects on the environment [17] prompting the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies like 

intercropping. The findings are in agreement with those of Asekabta [18] who indicated that provision of adequate 

nitrogen in agroforestry tree intercrops extends vegetative growth period of maize and this increases the 

photosynthesis duration and partitioning of photo assimilates to stems which in turn positively impacts on maize 

plant heights. The positive increase in maize height in agroforestry treatments may be attributed the rapid and 

stable supply of essential nutrients such as nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation which enhanced rapid 

growth compared to other treatments like sole maize and maize- banana intercrops which depended solely on 

already nutrient depleted soils.  

There was a general increase in maize leaf number in agroforestry tree intercrops with higher leaf number 

observed in Sesbania sesban. The results are in agreement with Flagot [19] who indicated that intercropping with 

agroforestry trees consistently resulted in luxuriant growth of plant leaves, which is an indicator for improved 

photosynthesis. The increase in maize leaf number under nitrogen fixing tree intercrops may be attributed to 

improved uptake of nutrients through biological nitrogen fixation offered by Sesbania sesban, Leucaena diversifolia 

and Calliandra calothyrsus for proper growth and development of plants. Maize grown in poor soils has numerous 

deficiency symptoms that lead to poor growth of plants especially the leaves [20]. This was observed in sole maize 

and maize-banana treatments which recorded low number of leaves that were significantly different from other 

treatments.  

There was a general increase in maize leaf area in agroforestry tree intercrops with higher leaf area recorded in 

Sesbania sesban treatments. The findings are in agreement with Asekabta [18] who indicated that intercropping 

maize with Glycine max resulted in appreciable enlargement of the unit area covered by the maize leaves. The 

increase in leaf area in nitrogen fixing tree plots can be attributed to steady supply of nitrogen nutrients through 

biological nitrogen fixation and decomposition of leafy prunings which enhanced maize plant leaf area compared to 

sole maize and maize- banana treatments which depended solely on already nutrient depleted soils. 

However, intercropping had no significant effect on banana height, leaf number and leaf area suggesting that 

land use efficiency may be increased by incorporating food and or fodder legumes into banana cropping system but 

take care of the shading effect and mineral competition through pruning of banana to allow light interception and 

also increase banana to banana spacing to reduce on crop - banana competition. 

There was a general increase in maize chlorophyll content in agroforestry tree intercrops with higher 

chlorophyll content recorded in Sesbania sesban treatments. The results are in agreement with those of Nasar, et al. 

[21] who indicated that maize–soybean intercropping increased the chlorophyll content of the maize crop 

compared to monocropping. Similar findings were reported by Ahmad, et al. [22] who indicated that chlorophyll 

content under maize- agroforestry tree intercropping conditions highly increases chlorophyll concentration in the 

maize leaves compared with monocropping conditions.  The increase in chlorophyll content in intercrops could be 

attributed to the nitrogen fixation and decomposition of leafy prunnings in the respective plots which provided 

essential nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium and magnesium that plays a major role in the synthesis of chlorophyll 

molecules in the chloroplasts. However, previous study by Ong, et al. [23] contradicts the current findings 

indicating that intercropping maize with Grevillea robusta significantly reduced SPAD values in maize compared to 



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59 

© 2023 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

control treatments, a fact that was attributed to light interception by the trees, which decreased chlorophyll 

concentrations due to shading. However, no significant difference was observed in chlorophyll concentration in 

banana plants in intercrop setting or monocrop setting. This suggested that the biological nitrogen fixation by 

agroforestry trees into soil and decomposition of leafy biomass from pruned agroforestry trees released minerals 

such as nitrogen and magnesium in lower quantities that could not exhibit significant differences in banana 

chlorophyll content, bearing in mind that bananas are heavy feeder plants, even though the rates of mineral 

acquisition were not determined. 

Maize yield was observed to increase under nitrogen fixing tree intercrops with higher yield recorded in 

Sesbania sesban treatments while unfertilized plots and those that were not under intercropping had the lowest 

maize yield. Generally, maize fertilizer treatments had the highest maize yield. However the detrimental effects of 

fertilizer use and poverty among farmers limits its use as discussed earlier. Increased maize yield in agroforestry 

treatments is in agreement with Meijer, et al. [24] who indicated that fertilizer trees including Gliricidia sepium, 

intercropped or in improved fallows, have been shown to increase maize yield over current farmer practice across 

sub-Saharan Africa, but with different performance across soil types and ecological zones. The increase in maize 

yield in agroforestry treatments could be attributed to fertility improvement as a result of agroforestry tree 

coppices related to various mechanisms such as biological N fixation, pumping up or retrieval of nutrients from 

lower soil horizons and interception of nutrients that would otherwise be lost through leaching and surface runoff 

and release of nutrients during litter and root decomposition. Similar findings were reported by Selim [25]  who 

found that  nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium uptake are enhanced by deep rooted 

leguminous trees that enhances pulling up of nutrients from below ground to maize crop rhizosphere increasing 

maize yield.  

Banana yield was observed to increase under nitrogen fixing tree intercrops with higher yield recorded in 

Sesbania sesban treatments while unfertilized plots and those that were not under intercropping had the lowest 

maize yield. The increase in banana yield in agroforestry treatments may be attributed to low levels of pests and 

diseases on bananas grown in agroforestry systems as previously described by Deltour, et al. [26]. The high yield 

potential observed in agroforestry trees can be attributed to the release of volatile compounds which play an 

important role in plant defense against microbial pathogens and pest attack and in turn increase banana yield as 

reported by Takabayashi [27]. 

 

5. CONCLUSION 

Intercropping with agroforestry tree species had a positive influence on maize growth, maize and banana 

chlorophyll content and yield. Best performance was observed in Maize-Sesbania sesban intercrop.  

 

Funding:  This study received no specific financial support.    
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable. 
Transparency: The authors state that the manuscript is honest, truthful, and transparent, that no key 
aspects of the investigation have been omitted, and that any differences from the study as planned have been 
clarified. This study followed all writing ethics. 
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 
Authors’ Contributions: All authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the study. All 
authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. 

 

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