Banana: ideal intercrop for coconut

IN A COCONUT plantation with recommended spacing of 7.5 x 7.5 m, each palm occupies an area of 56.3 square metres. But the spread of active root zone for individual palms is restricted to 2 m radius from the bole, covering only 12.6 square metres (22 per cent area). The remaining 78 per cent is not effectively utilized by coconut. This area can be used for intercropping.

In coconut gardens, light transmission is about 50 per cent and above when the palms attain the age of 25 years. This is due to the height of the palm and angle of leaf arrangements in the crown region. Under such situations partially shade loving crops can be grown profitably as intercrops.

An observational trial was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Veppankulam with banana (Poovan), tapioca, snake gourd and amaranthus as intercrops in coconut.

Among the crops tried, banana (poovan) was found to be an ideal intercrop. With a spacing of 2.5 x 2.5 x 5 m in between two rows of coconut palms 720 banana trees can be accommodated in one hectare. While growing of intercrop of coconut, nutrient supply and irrigation management should be taken care of separately for main and intercrops for better yields.

For the main crop of coconut, 50 kg Farm Yard Manure (FYM) with 1.3 kg urea, 2 kg single super phosphate and 2 kg muriate of potash have to be applied while for banana, 240 g urea, 220 g single super phosphate, 260 g muriate of potash and 10 kg of FYM should be given. FYM has to be applied at the time of planting. The entire quantity of superphosphate may be applied on the 3rd month and urea and muriate of potash applied in two splits on 3rd and 5th month after planting.

In addition to the yield of intercrops the yield of coconut itself increased by 30 nuts/ palm/ year and thereby an additional revenue of Rs. 15,000/- per ha. was realised through the main crop. From the intercrop of banana, a net income of Rs. 13,000/ha was obtained.

U. Athmanathan, R. Bhaskaran

& A. Karthikeyan

Coconut Research Station

Veppankulam 614 906

Tamil Nadu

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Science & Tech
Previous : DTH: Overhyped and overpriced
Next     : Local onion variety for the sandy belts