Additive yield

An additive yield occurs when the yield of two or more crops grown in a polyculture, such as the three sisters, are more than that of the equivalent areas of the two crops grown in a monoculture. Additive yielding also includes system yields, where one or more crop yields are lower than when they are grown in monocultures but together create a higher total yield.

For additive yields, it is important to select plants that cooperate with each other, or at least not compete for the same resources.