Custard Apple Intercropping: How to Maximise Income in the First Three Years

Research published by ICAR-NRC for Arid Horticulture and Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth Rahuri documents that the three-year establishment period before custard apple trees begin commercial bearing represents a significant income gap for newly planted orchards. Intercropping trials conducted across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh confirm that planting short-duration vegetables, legumes, and spice crops in the inter-row spaces of young custard apple orchards generates additional net income of ₹40,000 to ₹80,000 per acre annually during these non-bearing years, effectively converting an unproductive waiting period into a revenue-generating system. Beyond income, research documents that leguminous intercrops fix 40 to 80 kg of atmospheric nitrogen per acre per season, directly reducing fertiliser requirements for the main custard apple crop in subsequent years.

Best Intercrops for Year One Custard Apple Orchards

Research from Anand Agricultural University and ICAR documents that in the first year after custard apple planting, when trees are small and inter-row spaces fully open, a wide range of short-duration crops can be successfully grown without competing with the establishing fruit trees. Cowpea and moong bean as kharif season intercrops fix atmospheric nitrogen, provide weed suppression through canopy cover, and generate grain income of ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per acre per season in Maharashtra market conditions. Coriander and fenugreek as rabi season intercrops in the same inter-row spaces generate ₹20,000 to ₹35,000 per acre given their high value per kilogram in local markets. Research recommends maintaining a clear buffer zone of 60 to 75 cm around each custard apple tree trunk free of any intercrop to prevent root competition and to allow easy access for irrigation, fertilisation, and plant care operations around individual trees.

Intercropping in Years Two and Three

ICAR intercropping research guidelines specify that as custard apple canopy expands in the second and third year, intercrop selection must shift toward more shade-tolerant species that can produce economically under reduced light conditions. Turmeric is one of the most recommended intercrops for second and third year custard apple orchards, as it tolerates 30 to 40 percent shade, has a deep rhizome root system that does not compete directly with custard apple feeder roots near the soil surface, and generates ₹30,000 to ₹60,000 per acre at current market prices for fresh turmeric rhizome. Ginger performs similarly to turmeric in shade tolerance and income generation but requires more moisture. Research from KAU Kerala documents successful ginger intercropping under mango and custard apple canopy with yields of 8 to 12 tonnes per acre under 30 to 40 percent shade, compared to 15 to 20 tonnes in full sun, with proportionally lower but still profitable net returns.

Legume Intercrops for Soil Health Improvement

Research from CRIDA Hyderabad specifically focused on dryland fruit orchards documents the soil health benefits of maintaining leguminous intercrops in custard apple orchards during establishment years. Pigeon pea grown as an intercrop in a single row between every two rows of custard apple fixes 80 to 120 kg of nitrogen per hectare per season through root nodule activity while its deep tap root system breaks up compacted subsoil layers, improving water infiltration in the heavy black cotton soils common to custard apple growing regions of Maharashtra. Dhaincha, Sesbania aculeata, grown during the kharif season and incorporated as green manure before the rabi season adds 15 to 25 tonnes of fresh biomass per hectare and 80 to 100 kg of nitrogen per hectare according to CRIDA soil amendment research, significantly improving organic matter content and microbial activity in soils that are often inherently low in organic carbon.

Vegetable Intercrops for Maximum Cash Income

For custard apple farmers with access to irrigation and nearby vegetable markets, research from Maharashtra's Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth documents that vegetable intercrops generate the highest cash income per acre during the orchard establishment period. Okra planted in the first year inter-rows generates ₹40,000 to ₹70,000 per acre per season under irrigated conditions in Marathwada markets. Chilli cultivation as a rabi intercrop in the first and second year generates ₹50,000 to ₹1,20,000 per acre depending on market prices and variety. The research cautions that vegetable intercrops require higher irrigation and fertiliser inputs than grain or spice intercrops, and farmers must ensure that irrigation and fertiliser applications for vegetables do not cause waterlogging or excessive nitrogen application around custard apple trees, which can stimulate excessive vegetative growth at the expense of early flower initiation.

Intercropping Systems to Avoid

ICAR and state agricultural university research identifies several intercropping combinations that are harmful to custard apple orchard establishment and must be avoided. Tall crops including maize, sorghum, bajra, and sugarcane compete severely for light with young custard apple trees and have been shown in research trials to reduce first-year sapling growth by 30 to 45 percent due to light interception. Creeping and climbing crops including pumpkin, cucumber, and bottle gourd can physically climb onto and damage young custard apple trees and are unsuitable intercrops for any year. Deep-rooted perennial intercrops including banana compete directly with custard apple root systems for water and nutrients and should never be planted in the same field. Research also advises against intercropping any solanaceous vegetables including tomato, brinjal, and capsicum in orchards with history of Phytophthora soil disease, as solanaceous crops act as hosts for Phytophthora species and can amplify soil inoculum levels, increasing root rot risk for custard apple.