Intercropping, Covercropping and Mulching in Orchards*

(1) In the matter of growing leguminous forage crops (long and short duration) as intercrops in orchards, the experience at the Experimental Orchards of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute has shown that berseem could he a highly profitable short duration leguminous forage intercrop, giving a high tonnage of valuable green fodder and eventually adding a good amount of bulk organic matter and nitrogen to the soil. Among the other short duration leguminous forage crops worthy of trial is pillipesara (Phaseolus trilobus) particularly in the South. Among longer duration leguminous forage crops, lucerne is worthy of attention. Extreme caution is required, before any concrete recommendation is made to growers regarding growing of long duration perennial fodders, even if they are leguminous, in well established bearing orchards.

(2) With regard to growing of intercrops in young orchards, it is desirable that profit-yielding inter-crops are grown till the permanent trees start bearing so that the growers are not without adequate returns from their lands till the trees come into commercial bearing and so that wide spaces of soil in between the young trees are not without proper cultivation and attention till the root-systems of the trees cover the area. The intercrops should be so chosen that they are shallow rooted, and of short duration, and so cultivated that they are not in competition for moisture and nutrients with the growing fruit trees. There is a wide choice from both leguminous and non-leguminous vegetables which come under this class. There are also inter-cultural practices in which ginger, turmeric, grams and pulses are included. Among quick growing fruits, papayas, bananas, pineapples, cape-gooseberries have been in use as intercrops. Even black pepper has been trained on mangoes in some places, and beans allowed to climb over papayas. However the practice of growing such exhausting crops as sugarcane as intercrop in orchard is not a desirable practice.

Regarding growing of cotton in young orchards, its possibilities must be fully explored before any recommendations can be made.

(3) Regarding mulching as a practice for conservation of soil moisture and as an aid to soil fertility, this is a practice not prevalent in India but from the benefits reported in other countries, this deserves every attention for investigation and recommendation. Mulching has also been reported to have been responsible for improved colour and quality of fruits. Mulching seems to be particularly useful in older orchards where growing of cover crops is not feasible.

(4) Non-tillage as a practice in citrus orchards has been reported to have increased water intake of orchard soils, improved yields and quality of fruits.

(5) There is need for systematic investigations, (a) on the inter-relations and intereffects between various types of intercrops and fruit trees before specific profitable recommendations can be made to growers and (b) on the various systems of orchards management viz; sod culture, tillage and non-tillage under Indian conditions to attain better standards of orchard practices in the country.

(6) There is an urgent need for an all-India survey of orchard practices to compare the merits and demerits, and assess their Value for suitable recommendations to growers.