FLOWERING CROPS IN COCONUT BASED CROPPING SYSTEM INCREASES THE PRODUCTIVITY UNDER INDO GANGETIC PLAINS OF SOUTH ASIA

Abstract

Both intensification and diversification of coconut based cropping systems (CBCS) may allow improving the productivity, economics, sustainability and maintenance of orchard in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of south Asia, but the choices to be made require assessment of performance of various intercrops. An experiment was carried out at Horticulture Research Station, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya during 2014-15 and 2015- 16 , to study the economic returns per unit area under CBCS model by utilizing the inter space with different short duration flowering crops like gladiolus, tube rose, gerbera and marigold. Introduction of intercrop recorded additional flower production into the coconut orchard by 1.50 lakh gladiolus/ha/year or 1.86 lakh tube rose stick /ha/ year or 2.53 lakh gerbera/ha/year or 25.18 lakh marigold/ha/year. Average flower of intercrops was 1.65 gladiolus sticks/plant /year, 7.17 tuberose sticks /clump /year, 8.49 gerbera sticks /clump/year and 41.4 marigold flowers/ plant /year. However, CBCS with gerbera recorded maximum B: C ratio of 1: 2.19 followed by with gladiolus (1:2.15). Growing of gerbera and gladiolus in existing coconut orchard may be ecologically beneficial as well as remunerative option for the farming community of Indo Gangetic plains of South Asia.