A polyculture of maize, beans and squash are planted together in the same cropping system. This system has many mutually beneficial effects, including allelopathic inhibition of weed growth, nitrogen fixation and increased resistance to insects and disease, which are shown to dramatically reduce the need for outside inputs and increase the overall output. 

Successful intercropping system of maize, beans and squash is seen primarily in the tropics where a high percentage of agricultural production is still grown in polyculture mixtures. As many farmers are unable to afford inputs, they have adapted low input, high yield strategies such as corn-bean-squash intercropping. The results of a series of studies has shown that maize yields in corn-bean-squash intercrops can be increased by as much as 50% over monoculture yields. Although the yield for the two other crops was reduced dramatically, the overall yield for the three combined crops was greater than if they were grown separately in monocultures. 

Use Renewable Resources

Beans in this polyculture nodulate more, increasing biological nitrogen fixation and supplying nitrogen to the maize.

Conserve Resources

Planting at the beginning of the rainy season reduces dependence on off-farm water sources.

Manage Ecological Relationships

The presence of squash leaves helps manage pests, diseases, and weeds, while beneficial biota are enhanced in the soil by mycorrhizal fungi interconnecting the root systems. Intercropping also promotes beneficial insects and deters herbivorous insects.

Diversify

By using polycultures, biodiversity is increased.

Empower People

Using indigenous knowledge passes these traditional farming techniques from generation to generation.