Morinda citrifolia as a Suitable Mixed Crop in Coconut under Konkan Region of Maharashtra

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on integrated cropping system in coconut to study the performance of Morinda citrifolia as mixed crop in coconut, during the year 2008-09 to 2012-13. The growth and yield performance of Morinda citrifolia and coconut were recorded. Initial and final nutritional status was estimated. The economics of the cropping system was calculated in year 2012-13. The functional leaves on the crown were increased from 28 to 29 and annual leaf production per palm increased from 10.05 to 10.30 in years 2008-09 to 2012-13. Initial yield of coconut was recorded as 13300 nuts ha^-1 which increased to 14387 nuts ha^-1 in the year 2012-13.  Maximum yield of Morinda citrifolia per plant (7.88 kg) was recorded in seedling plants than in tissue culture plants (4.45 kg) in the year 2012-13. The study indicated that inter cropping of Morinda citrifolia increased productivity of coconut. Economics of Morinda citrifolia as inter crop indicated profitability of cultivation in coconut than monocrop.