ARECANUT

Arecanut based cropping system

Arecanut is cultivated with spacing of 2.7 X 2.7 m provides ample scope for cultivation of various annual, biennial and perennial crops in the inter spaces. This practice of growing inter/mixed crops in the arecanut garden is called as mixed/intercropping.

The large number of experiments conducted at CPCRI Regional Station, Vittal and other centres have indicated that some precautions to be observed while practicing inter/mixed cropping. The crop chosen should not have any problem of soil exhaustion and pest build-up. At the same time, it should have maximum production potential and give maximum returns per unit input to the farmers. Crops, which love shade or those which can withstand the canopy of arecanut palms and heavy dripping during the monsoon are to be preferred. The choice of intercrops also depends upon the locality.

A large number of annuals, biennials and perennial crops have been tried in areca gardens to evolve suitable crop combinations at CPCRI Regional Station and the Research Centres spread over the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Assam and West Bengal. Crops like banana, pepper, cocoa, elephant foot yam, citrus, betelvine, pineapple etc. were found suitable for inter/mixed cropping in arecanut. However, it is found that as the age of the garden advances, only few crops can be grown profitably as mixed crop viz., pepper, cocoa, banana, lime and betelvine. The intercrops, apart from giving additional income, create additional employment opportunities.

Following are some of the important cultural practices for intercrops. The summary crop husbandry for intercrops is given in table below.

* Planted at the base of the palms; † Planted at the centre of four palms.
# RP – Rock phosphate; $ MOP – Muriate of potash

Last updated: 22-05-2008