Evaporation, air, and soil temperatures are lower in mixed cropping than in sole areca nuts and open conditions. The least diurnal variation in microclimate within the mixed cropping is an important feature besides lower evaporative demand, reduced wind velocity, and higher soil moisture content. This is very important, as the synergistic effects of wind and solar radiation can cause mechanical injury in shade plants like cocoa. The areca nut palms provide excellent protection to the intercrops against wind and vice versa.
Intercropping of areca nut plants
Crops like cocoa and banana limit the damage of the scorching effect in the initial years. Increased root proliferation in areca nuts due to intercropping would increase organic matter content in soil. Intercropping legumes increases the content of available nitrogen and other nutrients in areca nut plantations. Fixation of N, recycling of nutrients in the soil profile, prevention of soil erosion, and improved soil fertility are some of the advantages of intercropping with leguminous green manure crops in areca nuts. The suitable crop is best with areca nuts, as given below.
Cocoa plants
For optimum productivity of both areca nuts and cocoa in a mixed cropping system, ideal spacing and pruning regime are important to avoid competition. A combination of 2.7 m x 2.7 m for areca nuts and 2.7 m x 5.4 m for cocoa is preferable over 2.7 m x 2.7 m for both crops. The main advantages of intercropping plants to productivity increase by growing coca with areca nuts are about 650-900 kg/ha.
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Banana plants
Banana is usually grown as a shade crop in areca nut plantations. Suitable banana cultivars for intercropping are Robusta, Mysore poovan, red banana, and Karpuravally. The variety Red Banana gives maximum net returns without any adverse effect on the yield of areca nuts. Banana fetches interim revenue in the initial years, which will help the farmers in cash flows.
Black Pepper
Pepper is raised exclusively as a mixed crop in homestead gardens in Kerala and Karnataka, and over 90% of pepper is trained on coconut and areca nut trunks. Pepper is the most compatible perennial spice crop with areca nuts and can be profitably grown. There is no detrimental effect on the yield of areca nuts palms due to training black pepper on them. Further, it helps to augment the income of the farmer by mixed cropping of black pepper. The performance of pepper cultivars Panniyur-1 and Kari Munda is better. KariMunda gives the maximum yield, followed by Panniyur-1. The cultivars Uddakare and Malligesara are poor yielding ones in areca nuts. On average, one kg of dry berries can be obtained from one vine, which will be around 1300 kg/ha. Thus, pepper is a highly profitable crop when grown as a mixed crop with areca nuts.
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Intercropping of medical and aromatic plants
Medicinal and aromatic plants can be grown successfully in areca nut with a higher net return per rupee investment. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Vetiver (Vetiver zizanoides), Long Pepper (Piper longum), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Nilagirianthus ciliatus, Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), Aloe (Aloe vera or barbadensis), Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuous), Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinil), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Davana (Artemisia pallens), and Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) perform better as intercrops in areca nuts. Senna (Cassia anguistifolia), Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivillianum), aswagandha (Withania somnifera), and geranium (Pelargonium sp.) do not come up well as intercrops in areca nuts. These crops contribute to a productivity increase of 11-53% in areca nuts. In terms of net profit per rupee investment, all the medicinal and aromatic plants are superior (1.95–4.25), and system productivity can be considerably enhanced with intercropping. It is advisable to grow a variety of medicinal plants in small areas based on local demand and the advice of the State Medicinal Plants Board. As the market demand for aromatic plants is huge, it is advisable to grow them in large areas.
Turmeric and ginger
Turmeric and ginger are the other intercropping plants; they are high-value crops that grow well under the areca nut shade, making them ideal for intercropping. Both crops want well-drained soil and warm climates. These are very good options for additional income.
These are the best crops with areca nuts. The main goal is to increase the productivity and profitability of areca nuts. The main benefits are maximum utilization of available land in plantations. play an important role in controlling soil erosion.
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