Production potential of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni. under intercropping systems

Abstract

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana[Bert.] Bertoni.) is a crop of recent domestication in many countries. The cultivation of this plant in hilly and frost-prone areas provides an opportunity for intercropping of various food crops since the crop undergoes winter dormancy in India. This was studied through intercropping (additive series) at two spacings of the main crop, namely, 45×45 cm and 60×45 cm. Wheat, barley, lentil and gobhi sarson were intercropped. Intercropping reduced the production of S. rebaudiana up to 50% when compared to sole cropping. However, a row spacing of 60×45 cm resulted in less competition than the former, although, single cropping of S. rebaudiana produced the maximum stevioside. Intercropping with wheat increased the stevioside content when compared to other intercrops. The introduction of wheat resulted in higher monetary benefits at 60×45 cm spacing. Results indicated that reduction in S. rebaudiana biomass was mainly due to overlapping of the emergence period of the main crop with rapid growth and development of the intercrops. In conclusion, to lower competitive effects, the intercrop needs to be early maturity. Identifying suitable varieties for intercropping should be the priority research area to increase the productivity of the system.

Keywords:

• Quality
• growth
• crops
• biomass production
• Stevia rebaudiana
• stevioside

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Mr Suresh Sood and Mr Kuldeep Singh Gill, technical assistants for field management. The authors are also thankful to Dr Ajay Gupta, technical officer for sample analysis. The funding of CSIR, Govt of India is gratefully acknowledged.