Evaluation of Maize, bean and squash in polyculture
Keywords:
Weeds, Growth, Yield, Land Equivalent Ratio, IntercroppingAbstract
This experiment was designed to determine the effect of intercropping of maize/bean/squash on the plants growth, yields and weeds growth when compared with their respective monocultures. The Land Equivalent Ratio was also calculated. The experiment shows that despite a minor growth and minor average yields per plant, the polyculture lot had a greater yield per unit area when compared with the different monoculture, with a LER>1. The weeds growth over time was also lower in the polyculture lots. Those results show the benefits of increased biodiversity in agroecosystems on weeds control and productivity.
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