Production potential of intercropping spices in elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Centre of Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Dumuduma, Bhubanehswar, Odisha, during 2010–11 to 2012–13, to study production potential of intercropping spices in elephant foot yam [Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson]. The experiment consisted of 7 treatments, viz. elephant foot yam (EFY) (sole crop), ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) (sole crop), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) (sole crop), EFY + ginger (1:1 in additive series), EFY + ginger (1:2 in additive series), EFY + turmeric (1:1 in additive series) and EFY + turmeric (1:2 in additive series), and was laid out in randomized block design with 4 replications. In intercropping, elephant foot yam full population was maintained. The intercrops were planted in intra-row spacing. Introduction of intercrops and increasing their population significantly increased pseudostem height and decreased pseudostem girth, canopy spread and production of leaflets in elephant foot yam. Incidence of collar rot was found decreased in the intercropping and minimum of 6.0% was observed in elephant foot yam + turmeric (1:2) intercropping. The intercropping systems showed superiority to sole cropping in total productivity and starch content, and reduction in calcium oxalate content. The highest corm equivalent yield (39.6 t/ha), gross (3,96,000) and net returns (2,33,000) and benefit: cost ratio (2.43) were noticed in elephant foot yam + ginger (1:2).