Effect of organic, integrated and conventional management on growth, yield and soil health in cassava (Manihot esculenta) - Vegetable intercropping systems

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic, chemical, and integrated management methods on growth, yield, dry-matter production, and soil physical and chemical parameters of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) -vegetable intercropping at ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI), Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, during 2021. The split plot design consisted of three vegetables, amaranthus (Amaranthus spp.), okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] and vegetable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] in main plots and four management options, 100% organic, 75% organic + innovative practices, integrated and package of practices (POP) in subplots. The 75% organic + innovative practices exhibited significantly higher harvest index and tuber dry matter production at 9 MAP, tuber yield, tuber dry matter% and mean tuber bulking rate. Highest tuber equivalent yield was observed in cassava-okra intercropping system under 75% organic + innovative practices. Soil organic C, available N and available Zn were significantly higher in 100% organic practices, and exchangeable Ca in 75% organic + innovative practices. Thus, organic management imparted significant effect on soil chemical properties, which was reflected in higher yields.