Summary
African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) is an important vegetable crop in West Africa, contributing to nutritional security and household incomes. However, its productivity remains constrained by declining soil fertility, particularly in tropical farming systems. Intercropping with legumes such as cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is considered a promising strategy for improving system performance, notably through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and more efficient use of resources including light, water and soil nutrients. The objective of this study was to improve eggplant production through the implementation of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) in eggplant–cowpea intercropping systems in Côte d’Ivoire. A field experiment was conducted during May to October, 2023. Treatments incl
Regional applicability
Findings are directly applicable to tropical West African smallholder farming contexts but have limited relevance to United Kingdom temperate conditions and soil types. The study's emphasis on combining organic and mineral inputs to sustain soil fertility under tropical intensification may inform best practice in humid tropical regions but would require adaptation for cooler climates.
Key measures
Eggplant yield (t ha⁻¹), Area Equivalent Yield (AEY) (t ha⁻¹), nitrogen input (kg N ha⁻¹), cropping system comparison (mono-cropping vs. inter-cropping)
Outcomes reported
The study measured eggplant yield, system productivity (Area Equivalent Yield), and nitrogen input under different cropping systems and fertilisation treatments. ISFM treatments combining organic and mineral inputs maximised overall system productivity.
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