In Africa maize does well when intercropped with beans or other legumes. The intercropped legumes should be sown at the time of first weeding in order not to crowd out the young maize plants. Since maize is a heavy feeder and takes considerable nutrients out of the soil, it can only be grown continuously on the richest soils or when heavily fertilized. Recommended legumes for intercropping in Kenya are: beans, pigeon peas, cowpeas, groundnuts and soybeans . Other crops that have been tried with varying success include: 1. Potatoes 2. Cassava 3. Pumpkin Intercropping maize with beans and other legumes regulates pests (leafhopper, leaf beetles, stalk borer, and fall armyworm ) and increases the land utility. Intercropping Canavalia (Canavalia spp.) with maize improves soil productivity. Intercropping maize with beans and squash enhances parasitism of caterpillars. This practice increases food sources for beneficial insects whereby increasing abundance of nat
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