Title

INTEGRATING CORN-LEGUME INTERCROPPING SYSTEM: INCREASING PROTEIN CONTENT ON YELLOW CORN THROUGH Rhizobium INOCULATION

Author(s)

Mc Cyryll S. Otoc

Junalyn M. Uy

Affiliation

College of Agriculture and Forestry

Degree Program

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Contributor

Gether P. Enario, Ph.D. – Instructor

Oliver S. Talip, Ph.D. – Adviser

Gether P. Enario, Ph.D. – Chairman

Yunalyn Villantes, Ph.D. – Panel Member

For. Bobby B. Alaman, MPM-BCM – Panel Member

Year

2026

Abstract

This study aimed to intercrop yellow corn with legumes (soybean, peanut, and mung bean) inoculated with rhizobium bacteria to increase the corn’s crude protein and the Soil-Nitrogen level. The presence of rhizobium in different strains is to help legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen and convert them into ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3) that can be used by plants. to A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed in a single factorial experiment with four (4) treatments and four (4) replications, in a 359.6 sq. meter area, divided into sixteen 5.7m plots. The treatments were: T1 (yellow corn + yellow corn); T2 (yellow corn + Glycine max + Bradyrhizobium japonicum); T3 (yellow corn + Arachis hypogaea + Bradyrhizobium elkaniiake); and T4 (yellow corn + Vigna radiate + Bradyrhizobium). To determine the Soil-N levels, a soil analysis for NPK was done before and planting. As per analysis, T3 had the highest N-deficiency level by 135% but had the highest Nitrogen increase after planting by 45%. For the corn’s protein content, T1 had the highest CP of 9.6675%, higher than those of being intercropped with legumes, due to the absence of light, air, water, and nutrient competition. But among all other three (3) treatments, T2 had a CP of 8.47%, followed by T3 of 7.92%, and T4 with 7.82%. The results proved that legumes can significantly increase nitrogen in the soil. Although, the intercropping did not produce higher crude protein than T1, but it’s higher than the Philippine average corn crude protein (6-7%). The growth and yield parameters of corn were also identified, and T3 have produced the highest the vigorous yellow corn plants in height, width, and length; and highest yield. Thus, peanut is most recommended to be intercropped with yellow corn, an excellent producer of yield, crude protein in corn, and Soil-Nitrogen.

Keywords

atmospheric nitrogen, crude protein, intercropping, legumes rhizobium bacteria, Soil-Nitrogen