This study evaluated the agronomic and economic performance of selected cropping systems involving sweet corn (Zea mays L.) and finger pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under La Union conditions, Philippines. The experiment was conducted from November 2025 to January 2026 using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Three cropping systems were compared: monocrop sweet corn, monocrop finger pepper, and sweet corn + finger pepper intercrop. Agronomic, yield, and economic parameters were assessed. Results showed that cropping system had no significant effect on days to tasseling, cob length, cob diameter, chlorophyll content, sweet corn yield, finger pepper flowering, fruit length, and plant height. Monocrop sweet corn produced significantly taller plants (232.87 cm) than intercropped sweet corn (222.55 cm), while intercropped sweet corn produced significantly heavier ears (237.71 g) than monocrop sweet corn (230.85 g). Sweet corn yield was statistically comparable between monocrop (2,328.18 kg ha⁻¹) and intercrop (2,152.19 kg ha⁻¹) systems. Monocrop finger pepper produced significantly higher marketable yield (20,954.30 g) than intercropped finger pepper (8,318.38 g). Economic analysis revealed that monocrop sweet corn had the lowest production cost (₱32,560.00 ha⁻¹), highest net income (₱1,563,606.00 ha⁻¹), highest return on investment (4,769.22%), and highest benefit-cost ratio (48.69). The intercrop system incurred the highest production cost (₱36,640.00 ha⁻¹) but remained profitable, generating a net income of ₱1,263,885.80 ha⁻¹, ROI of 3,416.43%, and BCR of 35.16. The findings indicate that monocrop sweet corn is the most economically efficient cropping system under La Union conditions. However, sweet corn–finger pepper intercropping remains a profitable alternative that offers production diversification and potential risk reduction for smallholder farmers.
published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB
Publication Date: 2026-05-13