Coconut and arecanut based high density multispecies cropping systems
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Date
1986-12
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Abstract
High density multispecies cropping models were laid out one each in coconut and arecanut plantations during 1983. Data on various aspects of the system behaviour showed that the yield of coconut and arecanut increased to the extent of 176% and 125% respectively in the two systems. The possibility of getting additional yields due to cropping system approach was evident. There was no marked yield difference of the crops in the full, two-third and one-third levels of fertilizers applied though depletion in N and Mg balance was indicated. The air space utilisation was 31% in coconut while it was 63% in the arecanut system. The biomass production of the two systems showed that there was substantial increase in coconut biomass while the biomass of other crops remained more or less the same. In general, there was build-up of P and K nutrients in the systems. Under the arecanut system N also showed increased .balance. There was improved microbial activity in the systems. No serious pest and disease management problems were indicated due to the high density cropping system approach. A number of crop varieties and hybrids tolerant/resistant to the nematode pathogen could be identified. The interaction of various factors for exploiting higher levels of productivity through a system approach and the need for predicting crop choices based on data and crop performance are discussed in the paper.
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Journal of Plantation Crops 14(2) : 74-81 December, 1986