000			01959nam a2200193Ia 4500
008			220216s9999 xx 000 0 und d
100			_aGeorge S
245		0	_aCocoa and coffee as intercrops in mature rubber plantation: Effects on growth and yield of rubber and physico-chemical properties of soil
260			_bRubber Science _c2018
300			_a31-40
520			_aThe possibility of establishing perennial intercrops like cocoa and coffee in mature rubber plantation ans its effects on growth ans yield of rubber and physico-chemical properties of the soil were studied in a field experiment conducted in a small holding in Kerala representing the central traditional rubber growing tract in India. The treatments comprised two varieties of coffee (Robusta and C x R) and cocoa inter-planted in mature rubber (clone RRII 105) in combination with two doses of fertilizers viz 100 and 50 per cent of the recommended dose for the intercrops. Coffee and cocoa were established well and started yielding by the third year. Growth and yield of rubber were not influenced by interplanting coffee and cocoa. Intercropping improved the fertility of the soil by maintaining a higher N and P status compared to monoculture field. The intercropped fields retained higher soil moisture status both at the surface and subsurface layers and recorded low soil bulk density. Yield of coffee ranged from 30-36 per cent of that of monoculture where as that of cocoa ranged from 40-56 per cent. The study suggests that cocoa is a potential intercrop for mature rubber under tapping. Conversion of existing monoculture rubber plantations to such diversified and sustainable cropping systems assumes importance in the current context of sharp decline in rubber prices and environmental challenges.
650			_aCocoa
650			_aCoffee
650			_aIntercropping
650			_aNatural rubber
650			_aSoil nutrient status
700			_aMeti S
942			_cJS
999			_c55812 _d55812