Spices and Condiments (1+1)

Irrigation, interculture and intercropping

Irrigation
In the first 3-4 years, extreme care should be taken especially during the summer months. Plant-based water application has to be very scrupulously followed.

Interculture
Immediately after transplanting, shade is provided by planting banana, Cassava, Glyricidia sp., Peltophorum sp, Acacia sp., Albizzia sp., Erythrina sp., Subabool, etc., in between the rows and the plants are irrigated till their establishment. Besides, protection from heavy rains and winds are required during the early stages of growth. Clove is generally grown along with orange and mangosteen. The plots should be kept weed free by regular weeding. Usually, the young plants are ring weeded. The pruning of diseased branches should be done regularly. It also helps in preventing overcrowding of the branches. The basins of the trees are mulched with dry leaves to conserve the soil moisture.

Inter-cropping
Clove can be inter-cropped in coconut, arecanut, nutmeg and banana plantations of the midlands. In higher elevations, it can be mixed cropped with pepper or coffee.