The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and the runner bean (Phaseolus coccineous L.): Productive options for small farmers at Los Volcanes micro- region in Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: Analyze the productive efficiency of bean and ayocote as single crop and associated with corn, and compare the current productions with those of experimental studies previously done.

Design/methodology/approach: The commercial yields of 2015-2018 were estimated, and to evaluate the single crops with associates, their productive efficiency-PE (land equivalent ratio) was calculated. These results were compared with those of trials carried out in 1978-1984, when the technology for bean and ayocote was generated.

Results: When long guide bean were associated with corn, the average total PE was higher (1.74), indicating that the association increased yields by 74% in comparison to single bean and corn crops. The average yields of bush beans, ayocote and hybrid corn under irrigation as single crops were 2.2, 4.4 and 11.8 tons per hectare, respectively.

Limitations/implications: Case study, carried out in a plot, where the commercial productive potential is estimated, among other investigations.

Findings/conclusions: The best productive options are bean and ayocote in association with corn due to their higher PE. The ayocote associated to corn, due to its high biomass production, causes greater competition in corn than bean, but the yields of corn + bean and corn + ayocote are similar. The single cultivation of these legumes is also important because the prices they reach, which are higher than those of corn. The technology experimentally generated in bush beans and trellises (supports made of wood, wire and thread), in a previously stage, is considered that it has been incorporated by small farmers currently involved.

Keywords: Legumes, productive efficiency, associated crops.