Papaya-Mungbean Intercropping: Effect of Season and Different Row Spacing on the
Growth and Yield Performance of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Intercrop to Papaya
(Carica papaya L.)
Pablito M. Magdalita1,2*, Noribelle A. Salibad1, and Edna A. Aguilar1
1Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), College Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines; 2Institute of Plant Breeding, CAFS, UPLB, College Los
Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines.*Corresponding author, pmmagdalita@up.edu.ph
Abstract
The study was conducted to determine the productivity of papaya-mungbean
intercropping as influenced by season and row spacing, while the cropping system was
evaluated using multiple cropping index and partial budget analysis. Papaya was
intercropped at wet and dry season with mungbean planted at different row spacing of
1.0 m, 0.75 m, and 0.50 m. Significant difference between the wet and dry seasons’ effect
in terms of plant height, pod length, number of pods per plant and total yield of
mungbean intercropped to papaya was observed. However, when the three-row spacing
was assessed individually, significant difference only on plant height and number of
pods of mungbean intercropped to papaya was observed between the wet and dry
seasons. However, significant difference on the growth and yield of mungbean
intercropped to papaya was not detected using different row spacing regardless of
season. The productivity of the intercropping was evaluated using Multiple Cropping
Index (MCI), and partial budget analysis. The MCI value for wet and dry seasons was
169.44% indicating a 69% increase in land use. In terms of partial budget analysis, the
row spacing that gave the highest income during wet season planting was 1.0 m, while
during the dry season it was 0.5 m row spacing.
Keywords: crop diversification, intercropping, multiple cropping index (MCI), mungbean, partial budget analysis
Vol 50 - 1 April 2025