Optimization of Cinnamon Planting Density in Coconut Intercropping System in India

TL;DR

This study found that planting cinnamon at high density in coconut plantations increases cinnamon and coconut yields, making it a profitable farming strategy.

Contribution

A high-density pentagonal planting method for cinnamon in coconut intercropping is proposed and shown to enhance productivity.

Findings

High-density pentagonal planting of cinnamon yielded 632 and 979 kg per hectare in first and second harvests.

The intercropping system achieved 55,766 coconut equivalent nuts per hectare per year.

Closer cinnamon spacing outperformed traditional spacing in both cinnamon and coconut productivity.

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the potential of cinnamon intercropping as a vertical expansion strategy with increased planting density to increase cinnamon production and address the surge in global demand for this valuable spice crop. Despite lower individual plant quill yield, the high-density pentagonal method at 0.6 m × 1.2 m spacing with 7290 plant population h−1a resulted in high yield of 632 and 979 kg of cinnamon per hectare during first and second harvests, respectively, outperforming the control spacing (2.0 m × 2.0 m, 1404 population ha−1). Furthermore, the coconut + cinnamon intercropping system with spacing of 0.6 m × 1.2 m resulted in significantly higher system productivity of coconut equivalent yield of 55,766 nuts per hectare per year (average of two years) compared to other spacing treatments, showcasing its potential for enhanced cultivation and productivity. Therefore, the study concluded that cinnamon is a promising and economically feasible intercrop in coconut plantations when planted using the high-density pentagonal planting method with a closer spacing of 0.6 m × 1.2 m with 7290 plant population ha−1.

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