Experiment code 21.4.3.12
Experiment Title Evaluation of medicinal plants as intercrop under coconut plantation
Research Type Departmental Research
Experiment Background India is the largest coconut-producing country in the world and accounted for about 31.45% of the world’s total production during 2021-22, with a production of 19,247 million nuts. The crop contributes around Rs. 307,498 million (US$ 3.88 billion) to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). In Gujarat, the green coconut production had reached to 23.6 crore units from an area of 26,561 hectares in 2023-24. The productivity from per unit area can further increased by integrating suitable medicinal plants as intercrop. Coconut being widely spaced crop, it provides opportunity for growing intercrops in available space. Ashwagandha, Asalia, Quinoa, Chia seed and Isabgol are some short duration medicinal crops with the potential to give high economic returns.Keeping this, the project has been proposed to better utilization of available moisture after the monsoon and to enhance the economic returns by cultivation of some suitable medicinal crops as intercrop in coconut plantation with the following objectives:
Experiment Group Horticulture
Unit Type (02)EDUCATION UNIT
Unit (13)ASPEE COLLEGE OF HORTICULTURE (NAVSARI)
Department (216)Plantation Spices Medicinal and Aromatic,ACHF, Navsari
BudgetHead (329/12108/00)329/01/REG/04650
Objective

To find out the most suitable medicinal crop as intercrop in coconut plantation

Season Rabi
Location Unit Type (02)EDUCATION UNIT
Location Unit (13)ASPEE COLLEGE OF HORTICULTURE (NAVSARI)
Location Department (216)Plantation Spices Medicinal and Aromatic,ACHF, Navsari
Plot No D-2
PI Name (NAU-EMP-2013-000911)PANKAJ PANDURANG BHALERAO
PI Email pankaj5bhalerao@nau.in
PI Mobile 9662532827
Year of Approval 2025
Commencement Year 2025
Completion Year 2027
Design of Experiment

Large Plot Technique (CRD)

Crop Spacing (cm x cm)

Sr. No.

Crop

Variety

Year/

time of planting

Spacing

Crop

Gross plot

Net plot

1

Coconut

WCT

60 years

7.5m x

7.5 m

--

--

2

Ashwagandha

Gujarat Anand Ashwagandha 1

First fortnight of November

60 cm x 30 cm

4.2m x 6.0m

3.0m x 4.8m

3

Asalio

Gujarat Asalio-1

30cm x 15cm

4.2m x 6.0m

3.0m x 4.8m

4

Quinoa

Red

30cm x 15cm

4.2m x 6.0m

3.0m x 4.8m

5

Chia seed

--

30cm x 15cm

4.2m x 6.0m

3.0m x 4.8m

6

Isabgol

GI-4

30cm x 15cm

4.2m x 6.0m

3.0m x 4.8m

Gross Plot (m x m) 4.2m x 6.0m
Net Plot (m x m) 3.0m x 4.8m
Total Experiment Area (m2) 9500
Plot History Last Three Year

NA

Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report

NA

Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report Attachment Attachment Not Available!
Layout Plan
Layout Plan Attachment
Treatment

T1   Coconut + Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

T2   Coconut + Asalio (Lapidium sativum L.)

T3   Coconut + Quinoa (Chenopodium quinova Willd)

T4   Coconut + Chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.)

T5    Coconut + Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.)

T6    Coconut alone

Treatment Attachment Attachment Not Available!
(NAU-EMP-2013-000911) PANKAJ PANDURANG BHALERAO pankaj5bhalerao@nau.in 9662532827 23-09-2025
Active
(NAU-EMP-2025-001954) CHIRAG DILIP DESAI chirag_psma@nau.in 9998295004 01/09/2025
Active
Coconut WCT
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Gujarat Anand Ashwagandha 1
Asalio (Lapidium sativum L.) Gujarat Asalio-1
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinova Willd)
Chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.)
Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.)