Influence of Mango Based Intercropping Systems on Soil Health under Rainfed Situation

Abstract

An experiment comprising of various mango based intercropping systems was conducted to determine the effect of intercropping on soil health in the rainfed uplands of eastern Ghat high land zone of Orissa, India. The results of the study revealed that the intercropping systems were effective in bringing about gradual improvement in the physicochemical properties of orchard soils. Among different intercropping systems tried, the mango + guava + cowpea system resulted in maximum improvement in bulk density, electrical conductivity, water holding capacity, organic carbon content and pH within 0 - 15 and 15 - 30 cm of soil depths. The nutrient status of orchard soil indicated that the mango + guava + cowpea system also recorded significantly maximum available nitrogen and potassium content, whereas, the maximum available phosphorus content were recorded in mango + guava + mango ginger system, which was statistically at par with that of mango + guava + cowpea system. The minimum available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents were observed in the mango + guava system without intercropping that served as control.   

Keywords: Mango, guava, cowpea, ginger, intercropping, soil, rainfed agriculture, upland