Evaluation of agroecological horti-fruit polycultures from northeastern Argentina

Abstract

Background and aims: Agroecology understands that the optimal management of agroecosystems depend on the level of interactions between biotic and abiotic components, and among these interactions the polycultures are key proposals. Within agroecological horticultural systems in northeast Argentina (NEA), the edafoclimatic contributions of fruit trees remains underexplored. Here we evaluate the performance of horticultural crops growing under the canopy of different fruit trees of northeastern Argentina. 

M&M: Intercropping of four fruit trees, Aguay (Chrysophyllum gonocarpum), Guayabo (Psidium guajava), Ñangapirí (Eugenia uniflora) and Níspero (Erybotria japónica) were evaluated in combination with horticultural species of the autumn-winter season with different harvesting organs: parsley leaves (Petroselinum crispum), radish tuber (Raphanus sativus) and pea fruits (Pisum sativum). Available solar radiation determinations for each horticultural species, analysis of litter contribution, weed abundance, and horticultural performance in each fruit tree-horticultural crop combination was measured.

Results: Aguay had a positive effect on the growth and development of the three horticultural species (radish, parsley and peas). The association with Guayabo was positive for parsley but negative for peas. Níspero had a positive effect on pea production; however, the association of Níspero is not recommendable for radish and parsley. The least recommended association for the three horticultural species was with Ñangapirí, for which no positive effects were obtained.

Conclusions: The fruit trees Aguay, Guayabo and Níspero from northeastern Argentina represent important alternatives for the agroecological production of common horticultural crops such as radish, parsley and peas.  In contrast, Ñangapirí fruit tree is not recommended for these horticultural crops.