Sequential Cropping Productivity Evaluation of Corn, Mung Bean, and Sweet Potato Intercrop under Coconut Field in Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines

Multiple cropping and sequential cropping system strategies with existing perennial crops would augment soil productivity per unit area, which optimizes crop production for food security. The study evaluated the effects of cropping patterns on the agronomic and yield performance, total productivity and profitability of corn, mung bean, and sweet potato planted under coconut ground in Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. There were eight cropping patterns (CP) [(CP1—corn followed by mung bean), (CP2—corn followed by sweet potato), (CP3—corn intercropped with mung bean followed by sweet potato), (CP4—corn intercropped with sweet potato followed by mung bean), (CP5—mung bean followed by corn), (CP6—sweet potato followed by corn), (CP7—mung bean followed corn intercropped with sweet potato), (CP8—sweet potato followed by corn intercropped with mung bean)] arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The results revealed that growing in a cropping pattern relative to the cropping period affected the days of tasseling and silking, plant and ear height, percent shelling, weight of 1000 seeds, and grains of corn. Sole corn and mung bean intercrop showed the same results, while Corn + Sweet potato intercropping decreased plant height and grain yield in corn regardless of the cropping pattern. Mung beans are affected by the cropping season in terms of the days of flowering, maturity, plant height, weight of 1000 seeds, and yield. Sweet potatoes showed the best performance in a number of lateral vines, maturity, and yield when placed first in the cropping pattern. However, sweet potato intercropping resulted in a reduction in yield. Further, CP6-sweet potato, followed by corn, had a notable total yield with a 98% return on investment and as a recommended intercropping pattern under coconut ground in the area.