Laboratoire de Biotechnologies Végétale et Microbienne, UMRI 28-Sciences Agronomiques et Génie Rural, BP 1093 Yamoussoukro, Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire
The overexploitation of arable land has led to a decline in crop productivity in Côte d’Ivoire. In a context of scarcity of arable land, the search for innovative farming systems seems to be essential. This study was conducted in the Gôh region using a completely randomized block design to assess the effects of maize-legume associations on maize growth and productivity, profitability, and soil fertility restoration. Plantings were conducted at the same date for three cycles. The results showed that the maize-bean and maize-cowpea multispecies systems practiced on overexploited plots significantly improved the parameters: maize yields between the second and third year compared to maize simple crop and productivity evaluation and competitiveness. The total value of yield index (IER) and maize equivalent yield (MEY), concluded that even when poorly exploited, the maize-cowpea association was more profitable than purely cultivated maize. Chemical parameters were not significantly different. However, despite the use of minerals by the plants, the mineral contents remained the same or even high compared to the initial value. Multispecies systems are therefore a solution because they provide stable and sustainable yields and good profitability.