Study of intercropping in periwinkle

Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The study conducted by R.D. Thakare and P.P. Khode at the Nagarjun Medicinal Plant Garden in Akola, Maharashtra, explored the viability of intercropping short-duration agronomical crops with periwinkle (Vinca rosea). Given the increasing significance of periwinkle due to its medicinal alkaloids, such as vincristine and vinblastine, the research aimed to bolster its cultivation through agronomic experimentation. The investigation spanned three kharif seasons from 1988 to 1991, providing insights into the economic benefits of intercropping systems designed with periwinkle and various intercrops.

Economic Returns from Intercropping

One of the pivotal findings of the study was the favorable monetary returns generated from intercropping periwinkle with groundnut. The experiment revealed that the highest monetary return of Rs. 15,604 per hectare was attained when periwinkle was intercropped with groundnut in a row proportion of 2:1. This outcome suggested that intercropping enhanced yields and profitability compared to sole cropping of either periwinkle or groundnut. Analysis of dry herbage and root yields indicated that while sole cropping yielded higher herbage, intercropping systems showed a substantial economic advantage, particularly with groundnut as the intercrop.

Conclusion

The research underscored the practicality of intercropping periwinkle with short-duration crops as a strategy to maximize economic returns from agricultural practices in medicinal plant cultivation. Notably, the intercropping system of periwinkle and groundnut emerged as the most lucrative, thus encouraging further exploration of such combinations for sustainable agricultural practices. This study contributes valuable knowledge to the field of agronomy by demonstrating the potential of intercropping systems to enhance both productivity and profitability in the cultivation of high-value medicinal crops.