Evaluation of maize, cowpea and sweet potato polyculture

Abstract

Focused on the redesign of horticultural agro-ecosystems in Salto, this study aimed at evaluating
the potential benefits of polyculture of maize (Zea mays L.), cowpea or “tape” beans (Vigna
unguiculata L.) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.). The test was conducted with a producer
on his farm in two successive years. Each species in monoculture and a polyculture of the
three crops were evaluated, in a three complete randomized blocks design. In the first year
yields for maize (5411 and 12049 kg/ha in poly and monoculture respectively), “tape” beans
(1467 and 2439 kg/ha in poly and monoculture respectively) and sweet potato (16125 kg/ha)
were higher than the average for the area. LER was above 1.0 for polyculture, and gross income
was 11.5% higher than that of monocultures. The crop yields were lower for the second
year, but polyculture had LER above 1.0.