ABSTRACT The extremity of climate change (CC) has become more crucial, and under the current context of CC during the last decade. The cropping system (CS) approach is more appropriate than a suitable and established package of practices for individual crops, as CS interrelates with other components and resources related to sustainable farming under the changing climate. The importance of CC in the current era must be documented. Hence, an initiative was taken to evaluate the current research published during the last decade to assess the role of the intercropping system in relation to resilience to CC and alignment with the SDGs. The study considered were from 2015 to 2024, supporting the importance of the intercropping system and the mitigation or adaptation of CC in the present context as a sustainable CS. The current scientometric analysis of the intercropping system suggested that it should be integrated into agricultural policies in agriculture‐based countries, climate action plans, the global sustainability framework, participatory research, co‐learning, and scientific experimentation. Furthermore, cutting‐edge technologies such as generative artificial intelligence, crop modeling, and the Internet of Things (IoT), along with farm mechanization, can be included to broaden the scope for the adoption of intercropping systems for agricultural sustainability.

Integrated crop residue management with micronutrient application can effectively addresses dual challenges of maintaining productivity while enhancing grain nutritional quality of rice in calcareous soils. This study evaluated the role of different soil properties for enhancing yield and grain quality of rice under 29 years of long-term effects of crop residue incorporation and zinc (Zn) fertilization in calcareous Typic Haplaquepts soils. Results showed 100% crop residue incorporation significantly enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen, available Zn, soil respiration, and wet aggregate stability by 26.6%, 46.2%, 14.3%, 94.7% and 38.2% respectively as compared to control (no residue incorporation), benefiting aggregation and water retention in the soil. The combination of 100% residue incorporation with 10.0 kg ha-1 Zn achieved highest grain yield (6.56 t ha-1) and improved grain protein and iron concentrations by 5.8% and 18.0% respectively. Principal component analysis revealed that wet aggregate stability, plant available water, SOC, available NPK, sulfur, available Zn and Fe, soil respiration, active carbon, autoclaved extractable protein were found as main soil properties representing 81.6% variation responsible improved rice production and grain nutritional quality. Thus, full crop residue management with Zn application of 10.0 kg ha-1 offers significant potential for biofortification and climate-resilient rice production.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) productivity in highlands dominated by acidic soils is frequently repressed by nutrient imbalance and poor canopy development. This study assessed the effects of sole and integrated organic-inorganic nutrient amendments on canopy growth, tissue nutrient uptake, and tuber yield in acidic Nitisols of Nakuru County, Kenya, over two successive cropping seasons (short rains of 2024 and long rains of 2025). Nine treatments, including mineral fertilizers (NPK, DAP), farmyard manure (OM), lime, and their combinations, were arranged (in triplicate) in a randomized complete block design. Integrated treatments significantly enhanced vegetative growth, physiological traits, and yield compared with the control and sole inputs (p < 0.001). Across seasons, OM + NPK produced the highest leaf area index (4.76), chlorophyll content (50.20 SPAD), and tuber yield (59.40 t ha(-1)), followed by OM + DAP (48.88 t ha(-1)), whereas the control recorded 0.72 t ha(-1). Potassium uptake showed a positive association with canopy development (r = 0.52 with LAI), while micronutrient concentrations (Fe, Cu, Mn) were negatively associated with growth parameters, likely reflecting dilution effects under high biomass production. The results demonstrate that integrating organic and mineral nutrient sources improves canopy development and yield under acidic soil conditions. Because total nutrient inputs differed among treatments, comparisons reflect field-rate integrated management performance rather than nutrient-equivalent dose responses. Integrated nutrient management offers a practical strategy for enhancing potato productivity in smallholder systems on acidic Nitisols.

ABSTRACT Soil acidity and unbalanced fertilization constrain potato yield and processing quality in Kenya's highlands. This study evaluated the effects of organic manure, lime, and mineral fertilizers applied alone or in combination on potato yield and tuber quality across two cropping seasons (2024 short rains and 2025 long rains) at ADC Farm in Sirikwa, Nakuru County, Kenya. A randomized complete block design with three replications and nine nutrient management treatments was used. Yield components (marketable, unmarketable, and total) and quality attributes, including specific gravity, tuber dry matter content, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and harvest index, were measured. Integrated nutrient management consistently improved performance. The combined application of organic manure and NPK (nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium) fertilizer produced the highest total tuber yields (58.50 t ha−1 in the 2024 short rains and 65.54 t ha−1 in the 2025 long rains), followed by organic manure combined with diammonium phosphate (DAP) (49.67 and 54.01 t ha−1), while the control recorded the lowest yields (27.83 and 31.66 t ha−1). Integrated treatments also improved quality attributes, with higher specific gravity and tuber dry matter content, as well as increased harvest index (up to 53.2%). Total soluble solids increased with fertilization, while titratable acidity showed limited variation among treatments. Generally, integrating organic manure with mineral fertilizers enhanced potato yield and tuber quality under acidic highland conditions, demonstrating its effectiveness as a sustainable nutrient management strategy for improving productivity and processing suitability.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in Kenya’s acidic highland soils is constrained by low nutrient availability, nutrient fixation, and poor fertilizer recovery, which limit crop productivity. Integrated nutrient management combining organic and inorganic nutrient sources offers potential for improving nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and sustaining soil fertility. This study evaluated the effects of organic manure (farmyard manure, FYM), diammonium phosphate (DAP), NPK fertilizer, and lime on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) use efficiency of potato under acidic Nitisols in Nakuru County, Kenya. Field experiments were conducted during the 2024 short rains and 2025 long rains using a randomized complete block design with nine treatments replicated three times. Nutrient uptake, agronomic efficiency (AE), physiological efficiency (PE), apparent recovery efficiency (ARE), partial factor productivity (PFP), internal efficiency (IE), and marketable tuber yield were assessed. Integrated OM + NPK recorded the highest nutrient uptake and NUE indices compared with sole fertilizer or lime applications. The treatment also produced the highest marketable tuber yield (62.0 t ha⁻1), representing a 108.6

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in Kenya’s acidic highland soils has been constrained by low nutrient availability, soil degradation, and high input costs, limiting profitability among smallholder farmers. This study evaluated the economic viability of integrating organic and inorganic soil amendments for potato production under acidic soil conditions. A two-season field experiment was conducted at ADC Farm, Sirikwa, Molo Subcounty, Nakuru County, Kenya, during the 2024 Short Rains and 2025 Long Rains seasons using a randomized complete block design with nine soil amendment treatments. Statistical and economic analyses were performed to assess marketable yield, net margin, benefit–cost ratio (BCR), dominance, and marginal rate of return (MRR). Results showed significant (p < 0.001) treatment effects on yield and profitability. Across seasons, the integrated organic–inorganic treatment combining organic manure (OM) with NPK fertilizer (OM + NPK) achieved the highest economic performance, recording the greatest marketable yield (59.40 t ha−1), net margin (KES 2.05 million ha−1), and benefit–cost ratio (BCR 6.39). This was followed by OM + DAP and sole DAP, which also generated high returns, whereas sole NPK was only moderately profitable, while sole lime and organic manure remained uneconomical (BCR < 1.0). Marginal rate of return analysis demonstrated exceptionally high investment efficiency for OM + NPK, while sensitivity and working-capital analyses confirmed that this treatment remained profitable under price, cost, and yield variability. Collectively, integrating organic and inorganic soil amendments, particularly OM + NPK, substantially enhanced potato profitability and yield stability compared with sole inputs. These findings identify a financially viable and adoptable soil fertility management strategy that can improve returns and reduce economic risk for resource-constrained smallholder potato farmers in Kenya’s acid-prone highlands.

There is a decline in crop yields due to climate change. Drought and low-soil-fertility-tolerant crops could enhance food production. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of rainfall patterns and soil properties on yields of sorghum landraces. Rainfall and yield data were obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and the meteorological department. Soil properties from farmers' farms and experimental sites were determined. Experiments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Accessions were grown in selected locations in the Eastern, Nyanza and Coastal regions. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using R statistical software. Reduced rainfall periods recorded low yields. However, on station (2019), yields were higher, though rainfall was very low. Farmers' farms recorded pH (6.3–6.8), OC (0.6–1.2%), phosphorus (36.5–50.0ppm), nitrogen (0.1–0.2%) and potassium (1.1–1.6 Cmol/kg). Sodium was highest in the east (0.8 Cmol/kg), calcium (4.0 Cmol/kg), and magnesium (1.4 Cmol/kg) in Nyanza. Manganese and copper were highest in Nyanza, while high iron and zinc were observed in eastern and coastal regions, respectively. At planting, Taita Taveta farm recorded significantly high nitrogen, whereas phosphorus and calcium were highest in KALRO Katumani. Kitaakya ivuui Makueni (b) and Nyakabala Siaya (a) performed best in at least two regions. Though rainfall had an impact on yields, optimum agronomic practices and accession yield potential increased yields under low rainfall. Low on-farm yields could be attributed to low organic carbon and nitrogen. Use of accessions with high yield potential could enhance food security under low moisture and nutrient-depleted soils.

Soil acidity remains a critical barrier to sustainable agricultural productivity in humid and sub-humid regions, where high rainfall, intensive cultivation, and limited soil amendment practices accelerate nutrient depletion and aluminum (Al³?) toxicity. Despite the importance of understanding soil acidification mechanisms, little attention has been given to the vertical and spatial variability of exchangeable acidity and its relationship with soil morphological and physicochemical properties. This study aimed to evaluate the profile distribution of exchangeable acidity and related soil morpho-physicochemical characteristics to elucidate the underlying causes of persistent acidity in cultivated agricultural landscapes. The study was undertaken in Molo, Nakuru County, Kenya, where two representative soil profiles were excavated in intensively cultivated acidic soils representing contrasting slope positions within the same agricultural landscape. The results indicated that both profiles exhibited well-developed horizonation with distinct morphological differentiation and moderate to strong structure, consistent with deeply weathered soils under high rainfall. The soils were strongly to extremely acidic (pH 4.3–5.1) throughout the profile, with acidity more pronounced in the surface and subsurface horizons. Exchangeable acidity (H? + Al³?) and Al³? saturation was inversely related to base cation concentration and CEC, whereas organic carbon and total nitrogen declined sharply with depth. The predominance of fine-textured, clay-rich horizons further implied advanced weathering and accumulation of low-activity clays. These findings highlight the need for targeted soil fertility management strategies emphasizing lime application, organic matter enhancement and balanced fertilization to restore cation balance and mitigate acidification. The study provides critical baseline data for designing site-specific soil amelioration and nutrient management interventions in acid-prone agricultural landscapes.

Intercropping systems that increase crop yield and land use efficiency are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, especially in developing countries. Despite many advantages related to nutrient, light, temperature, water, and land use efficiencies, intercropping of rice subspecies such as Indica and Japonica has not yet been fully explored. Hence, a two-year field experiment was conducted to study the effects of Indica-Japonica (i.e., XLY900-YY9 and YLY900-YY9) intercropping on the rice yield depending on sowing dates, and the intercropping effects were evaluated by yield, land equivalent ratio (LER), interspecific relative competitiveness (A), and relative crowding index (K). The Indica-Japonica intercropping at I1J1 sowing dates had cumulative yields of 12 t ha-1 (20%-23%) higher than the yield of Indica or Japonica under mono-cropping. This increase was mainly due to the efficient use of light and a higher photosynthetic rate. The LER values (1.23-1.27) and those of the relative crowding index (K) (1.69-5.36) were both greater than 1, indicating that intercropping used land more efficiently than mono-cropping. The interspecific relative competitiveness (A) showed Indica to be more competitive (A > 0, ranging from 1.05 to 1.80), while Japonica was less competitive (A < 0, ranging from -1.05 to -1.80), but with reduced overall competition between the two for light and land resources. Hence, Indica-Japonica intercropping has high potential to maximize rice yield while utilizing the natural resources more efficiently, and could contribute to food security, particularly in regions where rice is a staple crop.

The increasing global food demand, the degradation of one-third of agricultural land, and climate change pose significant threats to food production. Maize and soybean intercropping can enhance yields and land use efficiency, yet the year-interval effects of continuous intercropping on yield, yield sustainability, and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) remain unclear. This study evaluates the effects of continuous maize/soybean intercropping over year intervals on yield, PUE, and sustainability. A seven-year field trial (2017-2023) was conducted on acidic soil, comparing two cropping systems: maize monocropping and maize intercropped with soybean. The results showed that continuous maize/soybean intercropping outperformed maize monocropping across all year intervals. Over the first, third, and seventh year intervals, maize yield increased by 37%, 35%, and 58%, respectively, with a 55% average increase over the seven years. Intercropping also enhanced P use efficiency, as evidenced by AE, RE, PFP, and CPF increases. In the first year, AE, PFP, RE, and CPF increased by 48%, 37%, 27%, and 16%, respectively; after the third year interval, these metrics improved by 40%, 35%, 26%, and 14%; and after the seventh year interval, they rose by 60%, 58%, 24%, and 10.5%. The average AE, RE, and PFP increases over seven years were 53%, 52%, and 27%, respectively, while CPF increased by 13%. The SEM analysis further confirmed the substantial impact of the seventh year intercropping interval on maize yield, sustainability, and PUE. This study demonstrates that continuous maize/soybean intercropping can enhance maize yield, PUE, and sustainability, with the seventh year interval offering the most pronounced benefits. These findings provide valuable insights for improving food security and nutrient management challenges.

Sugarcane is a vital commodity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), yet its production has experienced significant shifts due to climate change, soil degradation, and socioeconomic challenges. This review synthesizes historical production trends in key SSA sugarcane-producing countries, examining factors influencing growth, yield variability, and sustainability challenges. Focusing on frass fertilizer (the nutrient-rich excrement produced by insects such as black soldier fly larvae fed on organic waste) as a sustainable alternative, this work analyzes findings from published field trials across SSA to compare sugarcane metrics under traditional fertilization versus frass application. Data from peer-reviewed studies demonstrate frass fertilizer's capacity to enhance yields (12–22

In the face of aggravating environmental challenges, achieving food security while preserving natural ecosystems, the present-day agriculture demands transformative strategies. Intercropping, an age old yet under-recognized practice, offers a promising direction towards sustainable agriculture by elevating biodiversity, optimizing resource use and delivering critical ecosystem services. Intercropping contributes to climate change mitigation by improving soil health and carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and long-term soil fertility restoration through nutrient cycling. Intercropping system aligns with agroecology principles, integrating biodiversity and ecosystem services into agricultural systems. Intercropping enhances provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural ecosystem services through multiple mechanisms. One of its key advantages is the promotion of biodiversity, which is essential for agroecosystem sustainability. By increasing species richness, intercropping nurtures pollinators, beneficial insects, and microbial communities, ultimately boosting productivity and resilience against environmental stressors. Moreover, intercropping represents an ecologically and economically viable alternative to conventional farming, confronting critical global concerns such as soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. However, challenges such as choosing compatible crops, planning planting patterns, and coordinating harvest schedules pose huge tasks. Research findings on crop combinations, climate-resilient systems, mechanization tools, and region-specific information can help to overcome these issues. The review article focuses on the alignment of an intercropping system with ecosystem services targeting agricultural sustainability.