Topological arrangements in the intercropping of maize and bean in the state of Nayarit, Mexico

Mexico has become the main importer of corn. The small farmers use production systems based on polycultures with low yields. This experiment was conducted in order to develop technologies for cropping maize and bean. Three topological arrangements were evaluated, simple culture of corn and bean, intercropping of corn and bean with one furrow and intercropping with two furrows. A completely random design with three repetitions per treatment was used. The evaluated variables were aerial biomass, grain yield, harvest index, the relative efficiency of the soil (RES), and the relative efficiency of the gain (REG). Under this system, the bean production was not possible. The treatments of intercropping in two furrows showed the best values for the variables, except for the harvest index. The variety V-526 had the highest index. In the second year, differences were not found among the topological arrangements probably due to a reduced rainfall. In this year, the harvest index was higher for the variety VETX-200 UAN. As in the first assessment, the relative efficiency of the soil, the net income and the relative efficiency of the gain were similar for both varieties. In order to conduct the intercropping of corn and bean, it is necessary to evaluate other bean varieties. It is possible to obtain good yields, relative efficiency of soil and gain with the double furrow maize intercropping systems.