Yacon planting density in intercropping with corn under banana orchard

ABSTRACT Yacon is a crop which requires development of strategies for its cultivation. One of the possibilities is to introduce yacon in perennial crops using intercropping system. The aim of this study was to evaluate different planting densities of yacon grown in intercropping with corn under banana orchard, verifying its development and production. At 90 days after planting, morphological and physiological evaluations were done, at 210 days yacon was harvested, and its productivity calculated using the fresh tuberous root production. The Area Equivalence Index (IEA), and the Relative Contribution of Crops (CRC) to IEA were calculated. Yacon development and production were hampered by the corn intercropping (under the banana orchard), regardless of the yacon density used. IEA increased with yacon and corn intercropping in relation to greater CRC of corn to the intercropping and its market value, the system presented higher gross income. Planting yacon under banana orchard optimizes the use of the area and it is profitable for the farmer, especially when yacon is planted in double rows, alternating between banana rows, spacing 0.3 and 0.4 m.

摘要 菊薯（Yacon）是一种亟需研发配套栽培技术的作物。通过间套作体系将菊薯引入多年生作物种植体系，是其可行的栽培路径之一。本研究旨在评估香蕉园间套作玉米模式下，不同菊薯种植密度对其生长发育与产量的影响。于种植后90天开展形态与生理指标测定，种植后210天收获菊薯，并以块根鲜重计算其产量。本研究同时计算了面积等效指数（Area Equivalence Index, IEA）以及各作物对该指数的相对贡献率（Relative Contribution of Crops, CRC）。无论采用何种菊薯种植密度，香蕉园间套作玉米的模式均会抑制菊薯的生长发育与产量表现。相较于单作，菊薯与玉米间套作可提升面积等效指数；结合间套作体系中玉米更高的CRC及其市场价值，该种植系统可获得更高的毛收入。在香蕉园下种植菊薯可优化土地利用效率，且可为种植户带来可观收益，尤其当菊薯采用双行种植模式、于香蕉行间交替排布、株距设置为0.3米与0.4米时，效益最为显著。