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Lima Bean Companion Planting
Phaseolus lunatus
Legume (Fabaceae) -- warm season
1 beneficial companion
1 antagonistic relationship
Good Companions for Lima Bean
Sweet CornZea mays
BeneficialNutrient SharingDocumented
Lima beans fix atmospheric nitrogen via Rhizobium symbiosis, providing soil nitrogen for heavy-feeding corn. Same nitrogen-sharing mechanism documented in the Three Sisters system.
Lima beans are slower-maturing than bush beans. Plant with adequate growing season.
Sources
- Nitrogen transfer from bean to maize in intercropping -- Plant and Soil (2002)
Crops to Avoid Near Lima Bean
OnionAllium cepa
AntagonisticAllelopathyDocumented
Allium root exudates (thiosulfinates) inhibit Rhizobium bacteria needed for lima bean nitrogen fixation. Same allium-legume antagonism as other bean-onion combinations.
Keep all alliums separated from all legume plantings.
Sources
- Allelopathic effects of Allium species on legume Rhizobium symbiosis -- Plant and Soil (1996)
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