Coconut based croppping systems of Kerala notes.pptx

Coconut based Cropping system of kerala

1. Coconut based cropping systems in Kerala

2. Efficient utilization of resources Water Land / Nutrients Sunlight Space Excellent opportunity to exploit interspace potential by cultivation of compatible crops, crop diversification and intensive cropping

3. Average land holding in India -1.08 ha Kerala – average size of land holding 0.18 ha A multiple cropping system generates adequate income and employment to the dependent family Crop selection: diff stature, canopy shape, size and rooting pattern Compatible crops: Banana, papaya, pine apple, tapioca, tuber crops, vegetables, pulses, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cocoa, coffee etc.

4. Factors favouring multiple cropping in coconut garden:

5. 1. Light transmission in coconut garden in the initial 3-4 years: 70 – 90 %. Based on the growth habit and the amount of light transmitted through its canopy , life span of coconut should be divided into three stages:-

6. From planting to full development of canopy (5-8) years – The percentage of utilization increases progressively during the pre bearing period, with a corresponding decrease in light transmission makes it suitable for growing annuals/perennials. Eg : cereals, grain legumes, vegetables, pineapple, ground nut Casuarina, banana, ornamentals like Heliconia sp , Tagetus Young palms (8-25 years) Maximum coverage and low canopy, moderate to poor availability of light. Not suitable for multiple cropping. Suitable for intercropping – eg . black pepper, cocoa, nut meg, thippali , vanilla Mature trees (more than 25years) – increase in trunk height, reduction crown size, light transmission increases with age. Apparent coverage of canopy decreases progressively. Ideal for raising annual and or perennial crops as intercrops . Eg : Spices, camboge, millets, dioscorea , yams

7. Vertical distribution of root system in coconut: Active root zone (about 80% of the root system) of coconut is confined to 31 to 120 cm depth of soil. The top 30 cm of soil as well as the soil below 120 cm depth are free from functional roots. Because of these factors it is quite possible to raise other useful shade loving crops in a normally spaced coconut farm. Hence crop should be selected accordingly.

8. Horizontal root distribution of coconut : under a well managed and irrigated coconut garden , more 80 % of the root activity is in the area around the palm to a radius of 2 m from the bole . Land area available per palm in a coconut farm spaced at7.5 m x 7.5 m = 56.25 m 2 . Area of maximum root activity ( r 2 ) = 12.57 m 2 Percentage of total horizontal area in soil effectively utililized by roots = 12.57/56.25 *100 = 22.24% Therefore in a matured coconut garden planted at a recommended spacing of 7.5 x 7.5 m, about 75 % of the land surface laterally is not utilized by the roots of the palms.  

9. Multiple cropping in coconut garden Cropping systems possible in coconut garden are Intercropping in coconut garden: Coconut + annual/biennial crop eg . Coconut + banana, pine apple, cassava, cowpea, ginger and turmeric 2. Mixed cropping: Coconut + perennial eg . Coconut + nutmeg, clove, pepper, cocoa, jack, teak 3. Mixed farming: fodder in coconut garden serves as source of organic matter and fodder to the livestock, incorporation of animal components in the system 4. Multi-tier / multi- storey cropping :

10. Eg : Coconut + pepper + cocoa + pineapple/tuber crops/fodder grass Top floor – coconut crown 10 – 30m ht. 1.0 m root depth Second floor - pepper 6-8 m ht. First floor - Cocoa 1.5 – 2.5m ht. 2.0 m root depth Ground floor - shade 1.0 m ht. 0.4 m root depth tolerant crops Multi-tier / multi- storey cropping : system of growing crops of different/ dissimilar heights together/simultaneously on a certain piece of land for efficient and economic utilization of the resources (water, land, space and sunlight) for maximum production.

11. Multi storied cropping in coconut garden  

12. In this system coconut is planted at a spacing of 7.5 x 7.5 m. Pepper is planted at 1.0 to 1.5 m away from the base of the coconut. The vines of pepper are trailed on coconut trunk at a height of about 1.0 m from the ground level and restricted to a height of 8-10 m forms the second floor. A single row of cocoa is planted at the centre space between coconut rows. Cocoa with its pruned canopy of about 3 m forms the third tier. Pineapple is planted in the interspaces, growing to a height of 80 – 90 cm forms the ground floor. Mutually exclusive zones are utilized for absorption of soil nutrients and sunlight .

13. Advantages: High yield Low risk- insurance against single crop failure Stability in production and productivity Efficient land use and water use Employment generation Soil fertility is maintained Soil micro flora is enhanced (more nutrient transformation) Ecological stability

14. Criteria for selection of intercrops in coconut garden: Based on shade tolerance and amount of solar radiation available. Intercrop should not grow as tall as coconut Harvesting and other operations should not damage the main crop Should not have an economic life longer than main crop. The root system should exploit different soil horizon Availability of soil type, rainfall pattern, irrigation facilities and labour availability Availability of marketing/ processing facilities Failure of mixed /intercropping is mainly due to wrong choice of crops.

15. Crop cafeteria for multiple cropping in coconut garden: Annuals: Kharif: Rice, maize, ground nut, ginger, turmeric, chilli , yams, colocasia , redgram , vegetables, sweet potato, tapioca, banana Rabi : Sesame, horse gram, red gram, vegetables, cowpea, sweet potato Summer: Vegetables Perennials: Short duration perennials – Pine apple, papaya, fodder crops/trees Long duration perennials – Cocoa, nutmeg, pepper, clove, cinnamon, Arecanut , Mulberry, rambutan , camboge, betelvine Medicinal plants : Neelamari , Kasthurimanjal , Thippali , aloe vera, Aswagandha

16. Varieties/cultivars suitable : Tapioca – Sreevisakham , Kalpaka ( Kuttanad region) Banana- Palayamkodam , BRS1, BRS 2, Grand Naine Black gram – TAU 2 Dioscorea – Sree Keerthi (mature coconut garden), Indu ( Kuttanad ) Ground nut – TG3, TMV2, TMV7 Elephant foot yam - Gajendra