Effect of intercropping maize-legume on the growth and pest damage in a maize landrace in Yucatan

Aldo D. Chan-Arjona, Esau Ruiz Sánchez, Roberto R. Ruiz-Santiago, Rene Garruña-Hernández, Luis Latournerie-Moreno, Jacques F. Pierre, Luis F. C. dos Santos

Abstract


Background. In Mexico, small-scale farmers carry out a significant portion of maize production in systems associated with legumes, which may provide advantages associated to the agronomic performance of maize. Objective. To assess the effect of intercropping maize-legume on maize growth and pest damage (fall armyworm and maize bushy stunt complex). Methodology. The experiment was conducted in the field using a complete randomized block design with four replications. Three planting arrangements were evaluated as treatments: maize-cowpea at simultaneous planting date (MF0); maize-cowpea with legume sown 20 days after maize planting (MF20), and monoculture of maize (MM). Results. The arrangement MF20 showed significant positive effects on plant height, number of leaves, and dry weight of maize stems and leaves. There were no significant differences among treatments in the percentage of plants damaged by pests; however, the degree of damage by fall armyworm was statistically higher in the arrangement MF20. Implications. Intercropping maize with legumes may improve agronomic performance of maize, as a result this may enhance the grain production for human consumption. Conclusion. Intercropping maize and cowpea with the legume sown 20 days after maize planting resulted in improvements in maize vegetative growth variables, but there was no significant influence on reducing fall armyworm damage or preventing maize bushy stunt. Further studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility other species of edible legume.

Keywords


legumes; associated crops; maize bushy stunt; fall armyworm.

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References


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URN: http://www.revista.ccba.uady.mx/urn:ISSN:1870-0462-tsaes.v29i1.53556

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.5355

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Copyright (c) 2026 Aldo D. Chan-Arjona, Esau Ruiz Sánchez, Roberto R. Ruiz-Santiago, Rene Garruña-Hernández, Luis Latournerie-Moreno, Jacques F. Pierre, Luis F. C. dos Santos

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