Yield assessment of intercropping of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) in coconut (Cocos nucifera)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in the rabi season of 2022-23 at Regional Coconut Research Station, Bhatye, Ratnagiri to assess the yield performance of coconut and bitter gourd intercropping system. The experiment was conducted in 30 years old coconut plantation (Variety West Coast Tall). The highest yield of bitter gourd (1290 g/vine) was recorded in open field condition while least yield (1098 g/vine) was in intercrop grown in coconut. In Coconut + Bitter gourd system, the yield of bitter gourd was 0.712 t/acre. The coconut equivalent yield of bitter gourd was 1778.86 nuts per acre. The highest yield from the system was 8589.76 nuts/acre/year which realized Rs. 154615.70 per acre as against yield in coconut sole crop was 6776 nut/acre.