Efficiency of intercropping maize (Zea mays) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Abstract

The relative yielding efficiency of sweet corn cultivars (Jubilee, Dulce UACH and Dulce Team) associated to common bean cultivars (Vista Florida, Fleetwood and Orfeo Negro) as compared to monoculturas was evaluated at Santa Rosa Experimental Station, belonging to Universidad Austral de Chile, in Valdivia, under dryland conditions. Efficiency indexes (land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ratio (ATER) and LER + ATER average) and competition indexes (relative crowding coefficient (CCR) and aggressivity) were calculated. LER and LER + ATER average, indicated that associations presenting advantages in relation to monoculture were Dulce Team with Orfeo Negro, Jubilee with Fleetwood and Jubilee with Vista Florida. The superiority for these three associations was also determined by the most rigorous ATER index, in agreement with the CCR competition index. Corn was pointed out as dominant species in all associations by the aggressiveness index.