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Intercropping
Growing of intercrops necessitates soil disturbing tillage operations of various
kinds. This will predispose the topsoil to erosion losses in steep and undulating
lands. The growing of intercrops, therefore has to be restricted to level lands
and gentle slopes. Even in such lands it should be ensured that leguminous cover
crops are established side by side with intercrops or immediately after the intercropping
is stopped.
The common intercrops cultivated in rubber plantations
Banana
During the first year, 1200 plants per hectare can be grown in a double row system
at 2 m x 2 m spacing. The stand should be restricted to 600 during the second year
in a single row system. Non-ratoon types like Nendran is suitable as intercrop during
the initial two years. Ratoon types like Palayankodan, Poovan etc. should be planted
in a single row and only one sucker should be retained during the second year. The
pseudostem, leaves and mother rhizome left after harvest can be used for mulching
the rubber plant.
Pineapple
Pineapple can be grown as intercrop during the initial four years. Two or three
rows of pineapple suckers are planted along the inter-rows of rubber in trenches
during the year of planting of rubber.
In sloppy lands, the trenches should be taken across the slope parallel to the contour
terraces to reduce soil erosion.
Proper manuring using organic and chemical fertilizers is necessary to ensure high
yield and to prevent depletion of soil fertility. Pineapple, once planted, will
give fruits for a period of about four years.
Ginger and turmeric
Since thorough digging of the soil is required for the cultivation of these crops,
they may be grown only on level and near level lands. Heavy application of cattle
manure or compost and organic mulches are important in the cultivation of these
crops. They can be grown for the initial two years.
Vegetables
Vegetables like cowpea, cucumber, ladies finger, amaranth etc. can be grown during
the initial 2-3 years with proper addition of organic manures.
Medicinal plants
Shade tolerant medicinal plants like Strobilanthus haenianus (Karimkurinji), Adathoda
vasica (Valiya adalodakam) and Plumbago rosea (Chuvanna Koduveli) are found suitable
for cultivation in rubber plantations.
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