INTERCROPPING BEAN CULTIVARS WITH PLANTAIN

Two bean (Phaseollus vulgaris L.) cultivars, Arroyo Lore and DOR 364, and four lines, 9443-1, 9443-8, 9443-33, 9226-17, were intercropped on ce or twice with one cycle of plantain cultivar Maricongo at the AES-U PR Corozal substation during 1994-1995. The first cycle of beans inter cropped at the time of plantain planting produced a high yield. The se cond cycle of beans intercropped two months before the termination of plantain harvest yielded poorly. The height of intercropped plantain p lants was less than that of non-intercropped plantain plants (P < 0.05 ) at six months after planting. However, at 12 months, there was no he ight difference between them. There was no significant difference in d iameter of pseudostem, nor in number of leaves, between the intercropp ed and the non-intercropped plantain plants. Plantain yields, in terms of number of fruits and bunch weight, were not significantly affected by the intercropping (P < 0.05). The highest net income of the interc ropping treatment was derived from the first cycle of the bean line 94 43-1 ($7,646/ha). This net income represents an additional income of $ 4,894/ha beyond that of plantain monoculture.