Fundamentals of Horticulture (2+1)

Multistory Cropping System

• In this system of agro forestry which suits well to small holders, different multispecies are grown which form a multilayer or multistory.
• This is most common in coconut based farming system in Kerala to meet the diversified needs of the farming community for fodder, food and fuel besides increasing net return from a unit area.
• This system involves growing of annuals and perennial in different tiers by exploiting soil and air space more efficiently.
• It has been demonstrated that inter cropping and mixed cropping with compatible component crops in coconut do not have any adverse effect on the yield of main crop while increasing net returns for the farmers.
• Some common systems in vogue are,
  1. Coconut/Cocoa/Ppineapple/Pepper
  2. Coconut/Hybrid napier and legume (Stylosanthes grandis).
  3. Coconut/Arecanut/Cocoa/Black pepper/Pineapple.
  4. This system is becoming most popular being efficient for effective utilization of solar energy and soil management.