Performance of Intercrops in Mango orchard in Eastern Ghat High Land Zone of Orissa

An itercropping study was carried out in a six year-old mango orchard planted at 9m x 9m spacing situated in Upper Kolab Watershed basin (Code No. Kepandinadi-ORK-8-1) at Gopalpur, Koraput, Orissa during the years 2000 to 2002 to identify suitable kharif season intercrops for higher economic returns. The intercrops grown were ginger, frenchbean, cowpea, tomato and paddy in mango orchard. The results of the two years of investigation indicated that, the average maximum number of fruits per plant in mango was recorded with the intercrop frenchbean (80) followed by cowpea (75), which was significantly higher over the sole crops of mango (47). The mango + ginger combination proved to be the best in terms of monetary benefit (Rs. 63,940/- ha⁻¹)followed by mango + cowpea (Rs. 30,210/- ha⁻¹). The sole crop of mango recorded a net profit of only Rs. 8,270/- under similar situation.