Cardamom and arecanut mix cropping systems

Abstract

Due to the long pre-bearing period of arecanut and host of other reasons varieties of intercrops like pineapple, ginger, turmeric, banana, cocoa, black pepper, cardamom etc. are raised in the arecanut gardens. In Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka and Wynad district of Kerala growing of cardamom as mixcrop with arecanut is a common practice. The study reveals that the above combinations is highly compatible and profitable one. Arecanut palms allow 30-50 percent of incident sunlight to pass through their canopy, thus provide an ideal shade condition for the cardamom. In the sole crop of arecanut, nearly 70 per cent of the land space remains unutilized as their effective root spread is 0-75 cm radius. This inter space can be effectively utilized for growing cardamom. The root competition in such system is minimum. The drainage requirement of both crops is simils and growing cardamom in arecanut helps in better soil and water conservation. The arecanut yield increased with mixcropping with cardamom. The minimum age requirement of arecanut garden to introduce cardamom and pepper is 6-7 years, ie., when adequate shade develops in the arecanut garden. The schedule of management for irrigation, fertilizer, etc, have to be followed separately for both the crops, so that there will not be any competition for growth resources in between them. The total cost of raising a new garden (13th year) is about Rs.1,40,000/ha whereas gross income per year per ha is Rs.3,50,000 with cardamom and arecanut as components. There is a vast scope for growing cardamom as mixcrop in arecanut gardens.