'Feasibility ofIntercropping in Mulberry under Rainfed Conditions of Chamarajanagar'


In order to improve the economic productivity ofmulberry gardens in Chamarajanagar in Karnataka which is largely rainfed, astudy was undertaken recently to identify crops for intercropping. The studyfinds that among various crops studied, intercropping with groundnut greatlyinfluenced the leaf yield of mulberry in different plantation patterns.


In Chamarajanagar district, a traditional sericultural beltin Karnataka, mulberry is cultivated in an area of 8,313 hectares. Out of this,6,957 hectares (83.7%) exist under rainfed while rest of the area is underirrigated conditions. To improve the economic productivity of mulberry gardenespecially under rainfed condition, it is important to grow other shortduration agricultural crops adapted under local agronomical conditions, along withmulberry in the available space. Under rainfed condition of Chamarajanagar, itis recommended to grow S-13 / S- 34 mulberry varieties in red/black soil, respectivelyin a spacing of 90 x 90 cm as bush plantation in plain lands, while spacing of180 x 180 cm (6 x 6) may also be resorted to with the same varieties as treeplantation in undulating as well as sloppy lands or hilly areas. Thus, theavailable space between mulberry rows under bush or tree plantations provides agood opportunity for intercropping.



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Originallypublished in Indian Silk: January 2009



Aboutthe Authors:


Dr. P. K.Das and S. B. Magadum are with the Regional Sericultural Research Station,Chamarajanagar. C. Doreswamy and Shivashankar with Krishi Vigyan Kendra,Hardanahalli, Chamarajanagar and C. K. Kamble is the Director, CSR&TI,Mysore.