Comparación del desarrollo fenológico y productivo del cultivo de maíz en asociación con el cultivo de frejol en la Hoya de Loja

Abstract

Abstract:The intercropping of maize (Zea mays L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a traditional agricultural practice in the province of Loja. The objective of this study was to analyze the phenological and productive development of maize grown in association with bean, as well as its contribution of nitrogen to the soil. For this purpose, eight plots were established, some with maize as a sole crop and others intercropped with bean, and the variables evaluated included plant height, ear size and weight, biomass, and yield. The main results showed that the maize bean intercropped treatment exhibited higher germination and survival rates at 15 days compared to maize grown alone. No significant differences were observed in plant height between treatments. Fresh biomass was higher in the intercropped system, indicating better vegetative development. Likewise, ear weight and diameter demonstrated statistically significant differences in favor of the intercropped treatment. Overall, the maize bean association consistently improved the productive variables evaluated.