Productivity and economic benefits of coconut based vegetable cropping systems under central dry zone of Karnataka

Coconut based cropping systems with vegetables i.e., okra-fallow (2012-13) and tomato-fallow (2013-14), green manure-cucumber,baby corn-gherkin and coconut monocropping as control with four integrated nutrient management (INM) practices viz., inorganicfertilizer alone (100%), 5 ton farm yard mannure (FYM)+75% NPK+25% N by vermicompost (VC), 5 ton FYM+50% NPK+25%N by vermicompost+25% N by composted coir pith (CCP)+ Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR) micronutrient sprayand 5 ton FYM+50% N by vermicompost+50% N by CCP+vermiwash spray+Azatobacter were evaluated at HRS, Arsikere,Karnataka during the year 2012 to 2014 by adopting factorial RBD with five replications. All the vegetable crops gave the highestyield under integration of organic and inorganic manure treatments, viz., 5 tonne FYM+74% NPK +25% N by VC and 5 tonFYM+50% NPK+25% N by vermicompost+25% N by CCP+IIHR micronutrient spray, whereas the lowest vegetables yield wasnoticed with 5 ton FYM+50% N by vermicompost+50% N by CCP + vermiwash spray + Azatobacter. Cropping sequence, babycorn-gherkin resulted in the highest coconut equivalent yield of intercrops and cropping system (33,548 nuts ha-1 and 44,414 nutsha-1, respectively). Pooled economic analysis indicated that, okra-fallow and tomato-fallow sequence resulted in significantlyhigher net income (` 4,03,551 ha-1) compared to other sequences and it was on par with baby corn-gherkin sequence(` 3,60,365 ha-1)

Effect of fertigation on the productivity of coconut

An experiment to study the effect of fertigation on the productivity of coconut was laid out at Horticulture Research Station, Arsikere, Karnataka during 2007-08 to 2011-12. Application of 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent of recommended NPK through drip irrigation system was compared with the soil application of recommended NPK as well as control with no fertilizer application. Fertilizers were given through drip irrigation system throughout the year in ten equal splits at monthly interval excluding peak rainfall months of May and October. Application of 100 per cent NPK through drip irrigation recorded significantly higher number of female flowers and nut setting percentage compared to control and application of 25 per cent NPK through drip irrigation. The mean nut and copra yield per palm over five years was significantly higher with the application of 100 per cent NPK through drip irrigation compared to control and application of 25 and 50 per cent NPK through drip irrigation. However, the copra content was not significantly influenced by the fertigation treatments. Application of 75 per cent NPK through drip irrigation recorded nut and copra yield per palm on par with the application of 100 per cent NPK through drip irrigation and 100 per cent NPK through soil. The net returns and benefit-cost ratio in 75 per cent NPK through drip irrigation were also on par with the application of 100 per cent NPK through drip irrigation, but significantly higher than 100 per cent NPK through soil application. The study indicated the possibility of saving 25 per cent of the recommended fertilizers by adopting fertigation which ensures higher productivity in coconut

Intercropping of medicinal and aromatic plants in coconut gardens

A field study was conducted at Horticulture Research Station, Arsikere, Karnataka during 2006-07 to 2008-09 to identify suitable medicinal and aromatic plants for intercropping in coconut gardens of maidan tract of Karnataka. The experiment consisted of 14 medicinal and aromatic crops viz., Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Makoi (Solanum nigrum), Coleus (Coleus forskohlii), Garden rue (Ruta graveolens), Lepidium (Lepidium sativum), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Arrow root (Maranta arundinaceae), Kacholam (Kaemferia galanga), Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens), Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus), Citronella (Cymbopogon winteranus), Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanoides). The yield of all the medicinal and aromatic crops grown as intercrop in coconut garden were reduced compared to their sole crop yields. The reduction in yield was less in lemon grass (6.4 %), tulsi (23.5 %), arrow root (23.9 %), vetiver grass (25.1 %), kalmegh (25.7 %), makoi (29.1 %), citronella (30.2 %) and garden rue (30.5 %). The nut yield of coconut was improved with intercropping of medicinal and aromatic crops. The andrographolide content in kalmegh (4.40 to 3.20 %), rutin alkaloids in garden rue (1.68 to 1.40 %) and oil content in lepidium (19.60 to 17.23 %) were significantly reduced when grown as intercrops in coconut garden as compared to sole crop. However, the forskohlin content in coleus (0.43 to 0.61 %) and essential oil content in ambrette (0.24 to 0.29 %) were significantly increased by intercropping. In other medicinal and aromatic crops, the quality parameters were not significantly influenced by intercropping. The intercropping system of growing lemon grass under coconut recorded the highest net income (Rs. 91,561/ha) and B:C ratio (2.89) followed by garden rue (Rs. 81,865/ha and 2.79), tulsi (Rs. 77,472/ha and 2.71), kalmegh (Rs. 75,163/ha and 2.56), arrow root (Rs. 72,211/ha and 2.28) and makoi (Rs. 67,058/ha and 2.68). Hence, intercropping of lemon grass, garden rue, tulsi, kalmegh, arrow root and makoi with coconut can be recommended for maidan tract of Karnataka

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Not AvailableAn experiment was conducted for three years in a 40 year old coconut garden of Tiptur Tall variety planted with a spacing of 10 m x 10 m to identify suitable flower crops for intercropping in coconut gardens of southern dry region of Karnataka. Five flower crops viz., jasmine (Kakada), chrysanthemum, crossandra, China aster and marigold were grown in the inter-row spaces of coconut. The number of leaves on the crown, annual leaf production, number of bunches and buttons and nut yield of coconut were not significantly influenced by the flower crops grown in coconut garden. The leaf nutrient status of coconut was also not significantly influenced by flower crops. The mean yield of flowers was 1045 kg ha-1 in jasmine, 4393 kg ha-1 in chrysanthemum, 1070 kg ha-1 in crossandra, 2158 kg ha-1 in China aster and 4874 kg ha-1 in marigold. The cropping system of coconut + chrysanthemum recorded significantly higher net income (` 200558 ha-1) followed by coconut + crossandra (` 179483 ha-1), coconut + jasmine (` 166767 ha-1), coconut + China aster (` 121692 ha-1) and coconut + marigold (` 96350 ha-1). The monocrop of coconut recorded significantly the lowest net income of ` 54250 ha-1. The study indicated the suitability and profitability of chrysanthemum, crossandra, jasmine, China aster and marigold as intercrops in coconut garden.Not Availabl

Performance of flower crops as intercrops in coconut garden in southern dry region of Karnataka

An experiment was conducted for three years in a 40 year old coconut garden of Tiptur Tall variety planted with a spacing of 10 m x 10 m to identify suitable flower crops for intercropping in coconut gardens of southern dry region of Karnataka. Five flower crops viz., jasmine (Kakada), chrysanthemum, crossandra, China aster and marigold were grown in the inter-row spaces of coconut. The number of leaves on the crown, annual leaf production, number of bunches and buttons and nut yield of coconut were not significantly influenced by the flower crops grown in coconut garden. The leaf nutrient status of coconut was also not significantly influenced by flower crops. The mean yield of flowers was 1045 kg ha-1 in jasmine, 4393 kg ha-1 in chrysanthemum, 1070 kg ha in crossandra, 2158kg ha-1 in China aster and 4874 kg ha in marigold. The cropping system of coconut + chrysanthemum recorded significantly higher net income (` 200558 ha-1-1) followed by coconut + crossandra (` 179483 ha-1), coconut + jasmine (` 166767 ha), coconut + China aster (` 121692 ha` 54250 ha-1-1) and coconut + marigold (` 96350 ha-1-1-1). The monocrop of coconut recorded significantly the lowest net income. The study indicated the suitability and profitability of chrysanthemum, crossandra, jasmine, China aster and marigold as intercrops in coconut garden

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Not AvailableCoconut based cropping systems with vegetables i.e., okra-fallow (2012-13) and tomato-fallow (2013-14), green manure-cucumber, baby corn-gherkin and coconut monocropping as control with four integrated nutrient management (INM) practices viz., inorganic fertilizer alone (100%), 5 ton farm yard mannure (FYM)+75% NPK+25% N by vermicompost (VC), 5 ton FYM+50% NPK+25% N by vermicompost+25% N by composted coir pith (CCP)+ Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR) micronutrient spray and 5 ton FYM+50% N by vermicompost+50% N by CCP+vermiwash spray+Azatobacter were evaluated at HRS, Arsikere, Karnataka during the year 2012 to 2014 by adopting factorial RBD with five replications. All the vegetable crops gave the highest yield under integration of organic and inorganic manure treatments, viz., 5 tonne FYM+74% NPK +25% N by VC and 5 ton FYM+50% NPK+25% N by vermicompost+25% N by CCP+IIHR micronutrient spray, whereas the lowest vegetables yield was noticed with 5 ton FYM+50% N by vermicompost+50% N by CCP + vermiwash spray + Azatobacter. Cropping sequence, baby corn-gherkin resulted in the highest coconut equivalent yield of intercrops and cropping system (33,548 nuts ha-1 and 44,414 nuts ha-1, respectively). Pooled economic analysis indicated that, okra-fallow and tomato-fallow sequence resulted in significantly higher net income (` 4,03,551 ha-1) compared to other sequences and it was on par with baby corn-gherkin sequence (` 3,60,365 ha-1).Not Availabl