Description
Three Sisters Farming is a traditional intercropping system that combines corn, beans, and squash to create a mutually beneficial agricultural ecosystem.
Technical
In this system, the beans form symbiotic Rhizobium nodules that fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is then converted to ammonium and assimilated by the corn and squash. The corn provides vertical support for the beans, while the squash spreads horizontally to shade the soil, reducing evaporation and suppressing weeds. Together, these interactions enhance soil fertility, moisture retention, and overall crop resilience.
Science
Primary Reaction
Biological nitrogen fixation by Rhizobium spp. in bean root nodules
Sensory Profile
Origin & History
Civilization
Indigenous peoples of the Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains
Era
pre-colonial to present
Region
Eastern Woodlands, Great Plains