The milpa system is the basis of traditional agriculture in Mesoamerica. It based on a polyculture maize ( Zea mays L.), bean Phaseolus spp.) and squash Cucurbita associated with great diversity crops wild species. has cultural historical importance but can also be highly productive provide sufficient healthy diets for smallholder farmers. practiced less however, mainly due to socioeconomic cha...

We examined soil water use patterns of four model plant associations established in the North Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica by comparing the stable hydrogen isotope composition, deltaD, in xylem sap and in soil water at different depths, under rainy and dry conditions. Four 5-year-old model plant associations composed of 2 tree species (Hyeronima alchorneoides and Cedrela odorata) having dif...