LEGUMINOUS AND GRASS FODDER COMBINATIONS FOR ENHANCING SOIL HEALTH AND SYSTEM PRODUCTIVITY IN COCONUT GARDENS OF THE HUMID TROPICSJeena Mathew, S. Indhuja, A. Abdul Haris, K. Nihad, Ravi Bhat and P. SubramanianAbstract Fodder crops form an inevitable component in coconut based mixed farming systems. However, continuous cultivation of fodder crops in coconut gardens may lead to the gradual depletion of soil fertility particularly that base nutrients such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. Both coconut and fodder grass have greater demand for these nutrients potassium. In the nutrient depleted sandy soils this may lead to declined productivity of both the crops. Hence inclusion of leguminous fodder crops along with grass fodder is a management strategy to prevent the depletion of soil fertility status. A field experiment in Randomized Block Design was conducted at ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute with six treatments comprising the grass fodder Hybrid Bajra Napier var. Suguna and the leguminous fodder crops cowpea (var. EC 4126) and stylosanthes hamata in various combinations. Soil and leaf samples were analyzed for nutrients and the total nutrient uptake was estimated. Inclusion of leguminous fodder crops as intercrops in the grass fodder plot have been found to enhance the soil fertility status particularly organic carbon, available K, Ca and Mg. The differential uptake pattern of nutrients by the grass and leguminous fodders can compensate for the exhaustive removal of nutrient from the soil and thereby could sustain soil health and system productivity. The highest green fodder yield of 132.04 t/ha was recorded when hybrid bajra napier was grown with stylosanthes in the interspaces. Soil physical properties such as water holding capacity was highest (23.06%) when cowpea was grown as intercrop in the HYBN plot. |