Improved performance of Andrographis paniculata in litchi-based agroforestry systems

The agroforestry system is a promising land use for promoting crop diversification, enhancing ecological stability, and fostering economic growth in the Himalayan region. Bitter weed remains an unexplored medicinal plant in agroforestry systems, and limited research exists on its cultivation using organic manures, underscoring the need to evaluate its agronomic performance, economic viability, and contribution to soil health under agroforestry systems. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic manures on the agronomic performance of bitter weed in a litchi-based agroforestry system at Litchi-Mango Research Station, India during July-November 2020. The study examined two cultivation systems, viz., litchi intercropped with bitter weed in a 2:20 ratio and an open system with bitter weed grown alone. The litchi trees were spaced at 4 × 3 m, and bitter weed plants were spaced at 0.45 × 0.30 m. Eight organic amendment treatments were tested, viz., FYM (15, 20, 25 t/ha), vermicompost (1, 2, 3 t/ha), Jeevamrit, and a control. The results indicated that the agro-morphological traits of bitter weed were better when it was intercropped with litchi than when it was grown as a mono-crop. In the intercropped system, the application of 3 t/ha vermicompost in bitter weed showed the highest plant height (72.86 cm), number of leaves (72.00), branches (38.67), and fresh (30.40 g) and dry (20.67 g) leaf weights, along with the maximum shoot weight (53.73 g/plant). It achieved the greatest total fresh plant weight (84.13 q/ha), gross return (₹879,690/ha), net return (₹708,340/ha), and B:C ratio (5.48), making it the most effective treatment. Compared to mono-cropping, integrating bitter weed into a litchi-based agroforestry system significantly improves soil health, crop performance, and economic returns. The application of organic manures like vermicompost and farmyard manure further enhances soil fertility and productivity, promoting sustainable and efficient farming practices.