Effect of organic, integrated and conventional management on growth, yield and soil health in cassava (Manihot esculenta ) - vegetable intercropping systems
Keywords:
Cassava-Vegetable system, Intercropping, Organic farming, Tuber equivalent yieldAbstract
With rising population and increasing climate stress, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) emerges as a vital food security crop, particularly in tropical areas. Although the impact of organic management on cassava has been extensively studied, little is known about its effects in intercropping systems with vegetables. In the cassava + vegetable intercropping system, the current study sought to evaluate the effects of organic, chemical, and integrated management methods on growth, yield, dry matter production, and soil physical and chemical parameters. The study was conducted at ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI), Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three vegetables, amaranthus, okra and vegetable cowpea in main plots and four management options, 100% organic, 75% organic + innovative practices, integrated and package of practices (POP) in sub plots. The results indicated that among the management options, 75% organic + innovative practices exhibited significantly higher harvest index and tuber dry matter production at 9 MAP, tuber yield, tuber dry matter% and mean tuber bulking rate. Highest tuber equivalent yield was observed in cassava-okra intercropping system under 75% organic + innovative practices. Soil organic C, available N and available Zn were significantly higher in 100% organic practices, and exchangeable Ca in 75% organic + innovative practices. Thus, organic management imparted significant effect on soil chemical properties, which was reflected in higher yields.
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