Coconut Based Fodder Production in Kerala
Deepthi C.*
AICRP on Forage Crops & Utilization, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (695 522), India
Navya M. V.
AICRP on Forage Crops & Utilization, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (695 522), India
Mubeena P.
AICRP on Forage Crops & Utilization, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (695 522), India
Usha C. Thomas
AICRP on Forage Crops & Utilization, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (695 522), India
DOI: NIL
Keywords: Abiotic stress, Coconut garden, Fodder, Shade
Abstract
Coconut dominates the agriculture land in Kerala. As the per capita land availability is very less in Kerala, expansion of area for fodder production is not possible. Coconut garden offers a wide opportunity for fodder production in Kerala. Over 30% of the active roots occur in 25-60 cm depth and 2 m around the palm, leaving 70-75% of the soil available for use by other crops. In widely spaced coconut gardens i.e., above 7.6 m, intercropping is possible irrespective of the age of the plant. However, closely spaced palms aged between 8 and 25 years are generally not suitable for intercropping. Mature plantations over 25 years old palms allow sufficient light to enter the under storey, making conditions suitable for intercropping. Guinea grass is well suited for coconut garden and different varieties of hybrid Napier, stylosanthes, Fodder cowpea, Congosignal grass and subabul can also be grown as intercrop in coconut garden.
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Reference
FIB (Farm Information Bureau), 2020. Farm Guide 2020. Farm Information Bureau, Kerala, p. 448.
KAU (Kerala Agricultural University), 2011. Package of Practices Recommendations: Crops (14th Ed.). Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, p. 360.
Subramanian, P., Dhanapal, R., Palaniswami, C., Sebastián, J., 2007. Feasibility studies on growing hybrid Bajra Napier fodder grass as intercrop in coconut under coastal littoral sandy soil. J. Plant. Crops 35(1), 19-22.