FERTILIZATION OF NATIVE MAIZE INTERCROPPED WITH HUSK TOMATO IN PEASANT FARMING PLOTS: YIELD, INCOME, AND FOOD SECURITY

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore the effect of mineral fertilization and mineral fertilization with cattle manure on income, yields, and food baskets generated by intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) and husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ex Horm.) in three locations in the State of Mexico. Three experimental plots were established with farming families from El Ejido, Santa Rosa de Lima, and San Mateo in 2015. Using a split-plot design, two large plots were tested, one without manure and the other with precomposted cattle manure (10 Mg ha^-1). In a small plot, nine nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) combination treatments were tested at five levels. Husk tomato, grain, and maize stover yields were evaluated. Net income (in MXN), the maize food security index, and the basic food basket were estimated. In all three locations, husk tomato, grain, and maize stover yields were higher with mineral fertilization plus manure compared to mineral fertilization alone. The highest net incomes from the maize-husk tomato intercropping system in El Ejido (27 498 MXN), Santa Rosa (37 436 MXN), and San Mateo (58 081 MXN) were obtained with 140-85, 140-35, and 150-40 kg of N-P₂O₅ and 10 Mg of manure ha⁻¹, respectively. These incomes can cover two to five basic food baskets for the three communities, as well as the family’s corn consumption in El Ejido and San Mateo.