Indian Journal of Plant Physiology

The aim of the present investigation was to explore the possibilities of growing medicinal and aromatic herbs, viz. Ocimum basilicum and Tagetes minuta and to find out the effects of organic manures, i.e. vermicompost, FYM and enriched manure on the growth performance and productivity of medicinal herbs, intercropped between hedgerows of Morus, an important fuel and fodder tree species under agroforestry conditions. The findings indicate that the application of organic manures improves performance and production efficiency of medicinal herbs intercropped with trees. The distance of the crop from Morus hedgerows also affected the growth and yield of intercropped herbal crops. Out of the three organic manures; comparatively higher yields were obtained in treatments receiving enriched manure than vermicompost and FYM. Use of organic manures did not substantially influence rate of photosynthesis in herbal plants. The data of the present investigation suggest that medicinal and aromatic plants can be grown successfully in combination with Morus hedgerows.