Effect of Fertilization in Companion Cropping Systems of Andean Fruit Trees in the Municipality of Ipiales

Companion cropping offers a potential solution to the challenges of sustainable agriculture, such as optimizing resource use and reducing reliance on chemical inputs. The problem of achieving higher yields while maintaining environmental health remains critical. This practice enhances natural resource conservation, improves fertilization, and optimizes nutrient cycling through the balanced use of chemical and organic sources. Studies, such as those involving tree tomato and Hass avocado, have demonstrated a significant yield increase compared to monocultures, underscoring the viability of this practice. In addition to their environmental benefits, companion crops provide economic advantages by allowing producers to harvest multiple products simultaneously, thereby strengthening food security and the rural economy. This study evaluated three levels of fertilization and interactions between fruit trees at different altitudes, observing differential behavior in the variables evaluated. The combination of cape gooseberry and blackberry showed significantly positive results, with more leaves and fewer pests, demonstrating the benefits of companion plants. A trend towards the combined use of chemical and organic fertilizers was observed, a potential strategy to reduce costs and improve crop growth. The results indicated that the UF system (P. peruviana and P. vulgaris) had the highest plant height, while TF (tree tomato and bean) showed the best stem perimeter development. The incidence of pests was also significant, with Trialeurodes vaporarioum being most prevalent in the P. peruviana companion. These findings support companion cropping as a viable and promising strategy for more efficient and sustainable agriculture, offering both environmental and economic benefits.