000			02175nam a2200145Ia 4500
008			220216s9999 xx 000 0 und d
100			_aMathewkutty Theruvapuzha
245		0	_aMedicinal plants as ground cover in rubber plantations
260			_bGlobal Competitiveness of Indian Rubber Plantation Industry : Rubber Planters Conference, India 2002. (Eds. C. Kuruvilla Jacob). Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam, Kerala, pp.89-92.
520			_aThe establishment and maintenance of legume ground cover to conserve soil and improve its fertility is a common practice in rubber plantations. Medicinal plants like Tippali (Piper longum), Karimkurinji(Strobilanthus haenianus), Thazhuthama (Boerhaavia diffusa) Orila (Desmodium gangesticum) and Moovila (Pseudarthria viscida) can be successfully cultivated in the inter space of rubber plantations. They spread rapidly in the inter space, forming excellent anti-erosion ground cover and will help the farmer in generating subsidiary income. Being shade tolerant, they can be cultivated even in mature rubber plantations. These plants are propagated vegetatively through seeds or rooted cuttings. Plantingf is done at a spacing of 75 cm for Tippali and Karimkurinji, 60 cm for Thazhuthama and 45 cm for Orila and Moovila. Roots are of medicinal value in most of these crops. Controlled harvesting by selectively pulling out the mature plants and not by digging is advocated so as to minimize soil disturbance and root injury to rubber. These plants form excellent ground cover and effectively reduce run-off and soil erosion, increase the soil moisture content and suppress weed growth. They add large quantity of organic matter and improve soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Orila and Moovila are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Since some of these plants are of great medicinal value, there is good market demand and disposal is not usually a problem. The introduction of medicinal plants in rubber plantations, as ground cover will enhance the biodiversity and sustain our herbal wealth.
650			_aCover crops
650			_aMedicinal plants
650			_aRubber plantations
942			_cJS
999			_c62806 _d62806