Performance of medicinal and aromatic plants as intercrops in coconut plantations in Konkan region of Maharashtra

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Coconut Research Station, Bhatye, Ratnagiri (AICRP on Palms) during 2006-2011 to develop appropriate cropping system with medicinal and aromatic plants as intercrops compatible with coconut. The experiment consisted ‘shatavari’ (Asparagus racemosus), ‘adulasa’ (Adhatoda vasica), arrowroot (Maranta arundincea), lemon grass (Cymbopogum citratus) and citronella (Cymbopogum winterianus) replicated four times in randomized block design. The yield of different medicinal/aromatic plants was maximum in lemon grass (31 t ha-1) followed by citronella (22 t ha-1), arrowroot (16 t ha-1), adulsa (2.1 t ha-1) and shatavari (0.8 t ha-1). The yield of intercrops in terms of coconut equivalent yield was higher with lemongrass (7750 nuts ha-1) followed by arrowroot (6000 nuts ha-1), adulasa (4725 nuts ha-1), citronella (4125 nuts ha-1) and shatavari (3500 nuts ha-1). The yield of coconut increased from 12 to 21 per cent after planting the intercrops. The net return was maximum in coconut + lemongrass (Rs. 96,200/ - per ha) followed by coconut + arrowroot (Rs. 93,200/- per ha), coconut + shatavari (Rs. 83,300/- per ha), coconut + adulasa (Rs. 78,300/- per ha) and coconut + citronella (Rs. 73,800/- per ha). Further, it was observed that shatavarin and saponins in shatavari, alkaloid in adulasa, citranol in citronella and sugar in arrowroot were higher with intercropping whereas citral in lemon grass slightly reduced with intercropping. Considering the performance of different medicinal crops as intercrop and market demand, arrowroot, lemongrass, adulasa, citronella and shatavari have been recommended as intercrops in coconut plantation for Konkan region of Maharashtra

ANALYSIS OF OPTICAL DENSITY OF ELECTROSTATIC SPRAY ON APPLE IN WINTER AND SUMMER SEASON

Wastage of agricultural chemicals and ensuing environmental pollution is an issue, where ineffectivespray deposition is a major concern with conventional pesticide application methods. Electrostaticspraying is known to be one of the most effective methods to improve frontsurface deposition,backsurface deposition, overall deposition, and distribution on the plant targets. Deposition of charged sprays on front and back surfaces with and without electrostatic on apples in winter and summer season was studied in the laboratory. An air-assisted electrostatic induction spray charging system was used toapply charged spray at uniform application (ground) speeds.Spray deposition is determined by using a fluorescent tracer technique. The droplet velocityand charging voltage were the key factors for obtaining desired spray deposition on apples.

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted at Regional Coconut Research Station, Bhatye, Ratnagiri (AICRP on Palms) during 2006-2011 to develop appropriate cropping system with medicinal and aromatic plants as intercrops compatible with coconut. The experiment consisted ‘shatavari’ (Asparagus racemosus), ‘adulasa’ (Adhatoda vasica), arrowroot (Maranta arundincea), lemon grass (Cymbopogum citratus) and citronella (Cymbopogum winterianus) replicated four times in randomized block design. The yield of different medicinal/aromatic plants was maximum in lemon grass (31 t ha-1) followed by citronella (22 t ha-1), arrowroot (16 t ha-1), adulsa (2.1 t ha-1) and shatavari (0.8 t ha-1). The yield of intercrops in terms of coconut equivalent yield was higher with lemongrass (7750 nuts ha-1) followed by arrowroot (6000 nuts ha-1), adulasa (4725 nuts ha-1), citronella (4125 nuts ha-1) and shatavari (3500 nuts ha-1). The yield of coconut increased from 12 to 21 per cent after planting the intercrops. The net return was maximum in coconut + lemongrass (Rs. 96,200/ - per ha) followed by coconut + arrowroot (Rs. 93,200/- per ha), coconut + shatavari (Rs. 83,300/- per ha), coconut + adulasa (Rs. 78,300/- per ha) and coconut + citronella (Rs. 73,800/- per ha). Further, it was observed that shatavarin and saponins in shatavari, alkaloid in adulasa, citranol in citronella and sugar in arrowroot were higher with intercropping whereas citral in lemon grass slightly reduced with intercropping. Considering the performance of different medicinal crops as intercrop and market demand, arrowroot, lemongrass, adulasa, citronella and shatavari have been recommended as intercrops in coconut plantation for Konkan region of Maharashtra.Not Availabl