Coconut based high density multispecies cropping system in Assam

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Date

2008

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Indian Society for Plantation Crops

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted from 1991 to 2001 to study the effect of different intercrops on yield and monetary benefits of main and intercrops at Horticultural Research Station, Kahikuchi under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms. The study was based on three coconut based cropping models i.e., Model-I: Coconut + black pepper + banana + Assam lemon + pineapple + ginger, Model-II: Coconut + betel vine + banana + Assam lemon + turmeric + colocasia and Model-III: Coconut alone (monocrop). The results revealed that the highest nut yield as well as per cent increase in nut yield was recorded in model-I followed by model-II and the lowest in model-III (monocrop). The soil fertility status in respect of pH, OC, N, P and K were also found to be higher in model-I than in model-II and model-III. Similarly, higher microbial population (Azotobacter) was also found in model-I as compared to the other models. The leaf nutrient status (N, P and K) of the main crop as well as the component crops in model-I showed sufficiency (above their critical levels) resulting in a direct influence on the nut yield and yield of intercrops. The model-I was found more profitable giving the highest net return of Rs.42,155/ha with a benefit cost ratio of 1.67.

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Keywords

coconut, crops model, high density, multispecies

Citation

Journal of Plantation Crops, 2008, 36 (2): 98-102

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