Maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivation face constraints, such as decreased soil fertility, biodiversity loss, increased pest and disease problems, and vulnerability to climate change. However, agroecology has gained recognition for its potential to address the environmental and social challenges in food production. This study aimed to investigate the agroecological aspects of cultivation through intercropping of maize and soybean in addition to organic and inorganic fertilizers to support the efforts toward better and sustainable food security. The research transpired in the District of Meureubo, West Aceh Regency, Indonesia. The study, carried out in a randomized complete block design, had two factors, i.e., cultivars (four groups of maize and soybean genotypes) and five fertilizer levels. The data recorded focused on the morphological characteristics of maize and soybean plants. The results showed the intercropping of maize cultivar Exotic + soybean cultivar Detap-1 with 25% of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + 30 t/ha organic fertilizer gave the best performance. The lowest outcomes resulted in the intercropping of maize cultivar Bonanza + soybean cultivar Grobogan with 100% of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer.
Maize (Z. mays L.), soybean (G. max L.), climate mitigation, food resilience, agroecological aspects, intercropping, organic fertilizer, morphological traits
The intercropping of maize cultivar Exotic and soybean cultivar Detap-1 with 25% of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer + 30 t/ha organic fertilizer revealed the best performance of both crops.