Productivity and ear index of three maize cultivars in intercropping systems with common bean

In order to verify the behavior of different maize cultivars and plant density in an intercropping system with commom bean, a trial was carried out in Sete Lagoas, MG, Brazil. The following treatments were studied: maize cultivars BR 201 M (single cross, prolific), CMS 350 and AG 301 (double cross, early maturity), in the densities of 20,000; 40,000 and 60,000 maize plants/ha. All these treatments were planted in two systems: single cropping and intercropping with commom bean that was planted in the same line of maize, simultaneously. A randomized complete block design was applied, in a factorial experimental arrangement. Maize yield increased linearly as the number of crop plants per area increased. In both systems BR 201 M and BR 350 cultivars had the same behavior, yielding better than AG 301. Maize intercropping, in general, yielded 21% less than single cropping did. The ear index of BR 201 M was 25 and 66% greater than BR 350 and AG 301 cultivars, respectively. Commom bean yield increased linearly as the number of maize plants decreased.