Optimizing Coconut Agroecosystems: Effects of Intercropping Corn, Mung Bean, and Sweet Potato on Pest Dynamics, Soil Health, and Crop Yields

Abstract

Intercropping, the practice of cultivating two or more crops simultaneously on the same land, is a proven strategy to enhance land use efficiency, reduce pest pressure, and improve overall farm productivity. This study evaluated pest infestation, soil biodiversity, and productivity of corn (Zea mays), mung bean (Vigna radiata), and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) intercropped under coconut (Cocos nucifera) conditions across two cropping seasons in Bagong Oroquieta, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. Eight cropping patterns (CP₁–CP₈) were tested. Major insect pests monitored included corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), corn weevil (Sitophilus zeamais), mung bean pod borer (Maruca vitrata), mung bean aphids (Aphis craccivora), and sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius). Results revealed that CP₅ (Mung bean–Corn), CP₆ (Sweet potato–Corn), and CP8 (Sweet potato–Corn + Mung bean) consistently minimized pest infestation, maintained weed populations at tolerable levels, and supported a favorable soil biodiversity index. Productivity was assessed using the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), an index that quantifies the relative efficiency of intercropping compared to monocropping. The corn + mung bean combination produced the highest LER values (1.30–1.53), indicating a 30–53% yield advantage over monocropping and the most favorable competitive ratio. The findings underscore the potential of mung bean–corn and sweet potato–corn-based intercropping systems under coconut to enhance farm productivity, reduce pest incidence, and promote ecological sustainability. The study recommends these patterns to coconut farmers for improved income and resource utilization.