Researchers in the Philippines studied how planting maize alongside potatoes affects the growth and yield of both crops. They found that planting maize and potatoes at the same time did not benefit potato growth. When shading levels on the potato plants were too high, potato yields decreased. However, planting maize at certain densities and distances from the potatoes improved light transmission and increased potato yields. The best results were seen with maize populations of 30,000 plants per hectare and 56,000 potato plants per hectare, which improved overall land productivity.