Abstract

TAMAYO ORTIZ, Christian Vicente  and  ALEGRE ORIHUELA, Julio Cesar. Asociación de cultivos, alternativa para el desarrollo de una agricultura sustentable. Siembra [online]. 2022, vol.9, n.1, e3287. ISSN 2477-8850.  https://doi.org/10.29166/siembra.v9i1.3287.

This study based on a literature review generated a document that is oriented to demonstrate the importance of crop association for sustainable agriculture. The planting of associated species has been done since ancient times in Latin America and today, it is still possible to identify it in different territories with a predominance of peasant agriculture. This logic of land valorization can be applied with different arrangements based on short-cycle crops, perennial crops, horticultural species, pastures, trees and even the incorporation of livestock. The main benefits of these land use systems compared to monoculture systems are related to improved efficiency of natural resource use (land and water), higher product yields, increased income, climate change mitigation (due to increased carbon storage capacity), reduction of pest and pathogen populations, promotion of biological control, increased population diversity of beneficial macro and microorganisms as well as improved soil fertility. Although most of the results demonstrate the advantages of this innovation, the need to generate integral results that reinforce the planning of this proposal as a highly viable food production alternative is highlighted.

Keywords : polycultures; biodiversity; climate change; agroforestry systems; agroecology.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )