Performance of Turmeric as Intercrop in Aonla-Based Hortifarming System in Northwest Alluvial Plain of Bihar
摘要
The performance of three turmeric varieties, namely, ‘Rajendra Sonia,’ ‘NDH-92,’ and ‘Rajendra Sonali,’ was evaluated under rainfed conditions in the interspaces of a well-established 16-year-old aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn. cv. ‘NA-7’) orchard from 2018 to 2022 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Birauli, Samastipur, Bihar, India. The results demonstrated a significant increase in fruit production due to intercropping, with a yield increase of 25.7% (16.17 t ha−1) compared to sole cropping (12.86 t ha−1). However, the yields of the intercrops showed reductions of 19.8% for ‘NDH-92,’ 32.5% for ‘Rajendra Sonia,’ and 41.8% for ‘Rajendra Sonali.’ The study confirmed that the aonla-based agri-horticultural system improved soil properties, as evidenced by the significant increase in organic carbon, available nitrogen, and phosphorus. Economic analysis revealed that the aonla + turmeric (‘NDH-92’ variety) system was the most profitable, with a land equivalent ratio of 2.06, an aonla equivalent yield of 33.04 t ha−1, and a high benefit–cost ratio of 4.15. The study also indicated that soil organic carbon (SOC) content was increased by 56.8–73.0% under the agri-horticultural system and by 45.9% under aonla sole cropping relative to the initial SOC value (3.7 g kg⁻1) before the establishment of the orchard. Thus, utilizing the interspaces of aonla orchards to grow turmeric can generate substantial additional income without negatively affecting soil fertility or overall system productivity.