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100			_aJessy M D
245		0	_aPossibilities of diverse rubber based agroforestry systems for smallholdings in India
260			_bAgroforestry Systems _c2017
300			_a515-526
500			_aSource Year: 2016
520			_aRubber growers in South East Asian countries are facing acute crisis due to the price volatility, sharp increase in cost of cultivation, increasing drought and declining soil fertility. With an objective to generate additional income and improve smallholder welafare by integrating diverse crops in rubber ecosystem, three experiments were conducted in Rubber Research Institute of India during 2001-2014 period. In one experiment, coffee, vanilla on Glyricidia standards, Garcinia and nutmeg were cultivated along with rubber without altering the planting design and density of rubber trees. Growth of rubber was significantly higher under mixed planting and yield was not influenced. Soil moisture status during summer and microbial population were higher in mixed planting system and soil nutrient status was maintained. Yield of all the intercrops was good during initial years. As the shade from rubber canopy intensified, Garcinia perished but vanilla and coffee continued to yield reasonably well. In another experiment, nine shade tolerant medicinal plants were evaluated in mature rubber plantation. All the medicinal plants established well and produced reasonable biomass, but the performance of Strobilanthes cuspida and Alpinia calcarata were comparatively better. In another study, it was observed that short duration vegetables like amaranthus and salad cucumber can be cultivated during the annual leaf shedding period in mature rubber plantations to meet part of the household requirement. The results showed that diverse crops can be integrated with rubber without any adverse effect on growth and yield of rubber. Crop diversification generated additional income, mitigated drought and sustained soil fertility.
650			_aCrop diversification
650			_aDrought mitigation
650			_aMedicinal plants
650			_aPlantation crops
650			_aSpices
650			_aVegetables
650			_aWintering period
700			_aGeorge S
700			_aJoseph P
856			_uCopy of article
942			_cJS
999			_c65325 _d65325