Re: Scientific Proof of Companion Planting

**"* P* L* <t*@spamfodder.com>**

On Mar 30, Sheri Ann Richerson wrote:
> Does anyone have a link or the name of a publication that proves studies
> have been done on companion planting and that it does work? I have a reader
> who has informed me that stating that companion planting works is dishonest
> and that it is merely an old wives tale. This reader furthermore states
> there is no scientific proof what-so-ever to support my suggestions
> concerning companion plants.

I suppose it matters what exactly one means by companion planting.  There's
a good breakdown of categories at 

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_planting#Companion_plant_categories

If we're talking about nitrogen fixation then there's a ton out there.
There are other studies for the other "Carrots Love Tomatoes" areas,
although not as many.  For example:

   "Tomatoes Love Basil but Hate Brussels Sprouts? Competition and
   Land-Use Efficiency of Popularly Recommended and Discouraged Crop
   Mixtures in Biointensive Agriculture Systems." Bomford, M. K.1
   (michael.bomford@kysu.edu).  Journal of Sustainable Agriculture;
   Jun2009, Vol. 33 Issue 4, p396-417.

   This study can't be used to convince your readers -- the results were
   inconclusive because of an excessively hot and dry summer that limited
   brussel sprout production.

Another article shows that Pinus patula is best raised near soybeans
(probably due to nitrogen fixation):

   "Using companion plants to assist Pinus patula establishment on
   former agricultural lands."  Liphadzi, K.B.  kliphadzi@arc.agric.za.
   South African Journal of Botany; Aug2006, Vol. 72 Issue 3, p403-408.

Here's another:

   "White lupin leads to increased maize yield through a soil
   fertility-independent mechanism: a new candidate for fighting Striga
   hermonthica infestation?"  Weisskopf, Laure lweisskopf@access.uzh.ch.
   Plant & Soil; Jun2009, Vol. 319 Issue 1/2, p101-114.

Another used to control weeds:

   "Intercropping of field crops in cotton for the management
   of purple nutsedge ( Cyperus rotundus L.)."  Iqbal, J.1
   javaidleghari@hotmail.com.  Plant & Soil; Aug2007, Vol. 300 Issue
   1/2, p163-171.

Chris

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