Vol. 17 No. 2
Coconut based cropping system model with spices and tuber crops - A novel approach for higher economic return
Author(s): D. K. GHOSH (LKN), N. CHATTOPADHYAY, A. BANDYOPADHYAY, A. BAR AND H. P. MAHESWARAPPA
Abstract: To improve the economic status of the coconut farmers and to make coconut cultivation profitable through adoption of coconutbased cropping systems, a three years field experiment was conducted at ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms, HRS, Mondouri,BCKV under a 36 years old coconut plantation during the year 2016-2018 to develop a locationspecific coconut-based integrated cropping system model along with its effect on coconut productivity and economic returns.The treatments comprised of seven models like Model-1 (M1):Coconut+ Black pepper+ Sweet potato+ Onion, Model-2 (M2): Coconut+ Black pepper+ Turmeric+ Elephant Foot Yam, Model-3(M3):Coconut+ Black pepper+Ginger+ Colocasia, Model-4(M4): Coconut+ Black pepper+ Coriander+ Sweet Potato, Model-5 (M5): Coconut+ Black pepper+ Chilli, Model-6 (M6): Coconut+ Black pepper + Onion+ Potato and Model-7(M7): Coconut (sole) in RBD with four replications. Yields were recorded for both the coconut and intercrops and economics were also worked out. Out of the seven models maximum projected mean nut yield of 18550 numbers ha-1 was recorded in the crop combination Coconut+Black pepper+Turmeric+Elephant Foot Yam (M2) followed by M3(18536.7numbers ha-1). Yield of dry black pepper was recorded maximum of127.67 kg ha-1 in M3 (Coconut+ Black pepper+ Ginger+ Colocasia). Even highest B: C ratio of 1.91 with a maximum net income of Rs.410018 ha-1 available land was also recorded in model M3. The above system indicated that under coconut-based cropping system Black pepper, Ginger, Turmeric, Elephant Foot Yam can be grown successfully and out of the seven models M3(Coconut+ Black pepper+ Ginger+ Colocasia) was more remunerative and recommended for West Bengal condition.
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