Response of hybrid sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) varieties to the time of planting string bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) intercrop
2023
Palcon, B.S. | Ratilla, B.C.
One of the common approaches to increasing crop production is the intercropping system. This study assessed the response of sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) varieties to the time of planting string bean intercrop (Phaseolus vulgaris). This was laid out in a split plot arranged in a randomized complete block design with two sweet corn varieties as the main plot and four times planting string bean intercrop as subplots. Two treatment plots of monoculture sweet corn and string bean were added for the calculation of the land and area time equivalent ratios. Variety did not significantly affect the agronomic, horticultural characteristics, yield, and yield components of sweet corn and string beans but the planting time did. Results revealed that sweet corn planted 1 wk later than string beans delayed its tasseling and silking. However, it produced the heaviest marketable and total green ear yield (5. 41 and 6.05 t/ha) but comparable to when both component crops are planted at the same time than when sweet corn was planted 2 wk ahead of string beans (6.03 t/ha). On the other hand, string beans were planted at the same time as sweet corn, 1 wk after sweet corn, and 1 wk before sweet corn flowered and harvested its pods earlier than when string beans were planted 2 wk after sweet corn. Land and area time equivalent ratios were greater than one in all treatments indicating that both crops can be grown together. In terms of yield characteristics, the Sweet Grande variety produced a relatively higher marketable green ear yield (5.07 t/ha) and string beans planted 1 wk before sweet corn (2.12 t/ha). Intercropping sweet corn with string beans is advantageous, as sweet corn provides a living trellis for the latter.
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