Yes, this method of Inter Crop farming is possible with black pepper plants, as can be cultivated along with rubber trees with proper preparations and care. Through this small article let us check it out.
Intercropping rubber with other tree crops can help smallholders diversify their sources of income and make better use of their land during the six years it takes for rubber trees to become productive. To help them choose the most profitable cropping system
All input and labour costs were recorded, along with production, for the 17 years after planting, for each crop and each system ― monocrop and intercrops.
Steps for Intercropping Pepper plants with Rubber
Step 1 : Mark 2 feet from the North side of the rubber tree.
Step 2 : Dig a hole 1 or 2 feet deep on the mark, making necessary adjustments.
Step 3 : Add a layer of cow dung on the hole and a layer of soil on the top of the first layer.
Step 4 : Plant the black pepper plant in the hole in such a way that the roots of the plant does not touch the fist layer( cow dung layer )
Step 5 :Find some branches or shades and place it round the plant so that there is a protective layer for the young plant to withstand heavy rain and sun.
Step 6 : Water the plants once a week.
Step 7 : Take a good care of your plants.
Making the best possible use of land
When rubber was grown with an intercrop, its individual yield was not affected by the trees grown in the interrows, and intercrop productivity was sustained by the fact that the interrows were sufficiently wide to prevent competition as a result of the shade cast by the rubber trees. This design served to extend by almost three years the period during which intercrop yields were not penalized.
Diversified, sustainable cropping systems
Intercropping rubber with other tree crops is a means of reducing competition for land, while diversifying farmers’ sources of income and reducing cash flow constraints in the period until latex production begins. This is particularly the case with cocoa and coffee intercrops.
Such cropping systems could generate real added value and prove more sustainable than monocropping.
Here are some Doubts You Would have.
⦁ Will the roots of the Rubber tree crush the pepper roots?
In most cases, No. The roots of rubber tree are like beads and pepper roots are fine and dense. There are a number of successful attempts in Kerala.
⦁ Do the plants need shade?
Heavy shade is not recommended, as the plants need proper sunlight.
⦁ Is it possible to grow pepper plants in rubber that is currently been tapped?
Yes, it’s possible too! You can propagate the plant through above steps, after plants are grown, tie them to the part above your tapping area, using some supports. You may use some sticks for the support for reaching above the tapping area.
