Performance of intercrops during establishment phase of aonla (Emblica officinalis) orchard

Abstract

A study was conducted during 2004–06 on intercropping under arid conditions of Bikaner in newly established ‘NA7’ aonla (Emblica officinals Gaertn). Mothbean (Vigna acontifolia (Jacq.) Marechal) grown during rainy (kharif) season was a common crop in rotation with winter (rabi) crops, i e fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum Linn.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), mustard [Brassica juncea (L) Czernj. & Cosson] and cumin (Cuminum cyminum L). Growth parameters in terms of plant height, stem girth, canopy spread and canopy volume of aonla was recorded to be significantly more with intercrops compared with its sole plantation. Higher grain and straw yield were recorded in mothbean–chickpea (497, 1 250 kg/ha) and mothbean-fenugreek (465, 1 161 kg/ha) crop sequence. Amongst the winter (rabi) crops, grain yield of fenugreek, chickpea, mustard and cumin were higher by 28.05, 38.11, 19.96 and 36.50%, respectively, when grown in association with aonla compared to its sole crops. The highest net profit (Rs 28 260/ha) was obtained from mothbean–cumin cropping system, followed by mothbean–chickpea (Rs 25 024/ha) cropping system. Mothbean–chickpea intercropping with aonla supplemented 22.01, 5.00 and 27.90 kg/ha nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium through crop residues, followed by mothbean– fenugreek crop sequence