Session: Legume Agronomy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Intercropping, Rotation, and N Fixation Maximization Poster (includes student competition)

Division: ASA Section: Global Agronomy

Title: Legume Agronomy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Intercropping, Rotation, and N Fixation Maximization Poster (includes student competition)

Lead Community Sponsor: Agronomy in Africa Community
Cosponsor: ASA Section: Global Agronomy
Community Cosponsor: Sustainable Intensification Community, Agronomic Solutions for Smallholders Community
Format: Poster Topical Session
Keywords: legume, Africa, nitrogen fixation and soybean

Session Description: Diversification with legumes stands to increase agroecosystem productivity by potentially providing a net N input, breaking pest and disease cycles, and positively influence non-legume crop growth. This session considers the integration of legumes into cropping systems in the African context, with emphasis on three interrelated themes: (1) Maximizing N fixation is key to sustainable intensification but is challenged by abiotic and biotic constraints; (2) Integrating legumes into crop schemes in time and space carries agroecosystem-specific considerations; and (3) Diversity of agroecological zones across the African continent necessitates matching legume species and cultivars, rhizobia strains and management strategies.