Abstract

Persea bombycina King, (Som) and Litsea monopetala, (Soalu) are grown abundantly for rearing of Muga Silkworm Antheraea assama for production of lustrous golden muga silk in North Eastern Region particularly in Assam. Package of practices for propagation and raising of systematic plantation of both the species have been developed and adopted by the farmers ar large scale. Plants become ready for silkworm rearing after 3 years of plantation. To provide additional income, regular cultural practices and to increase production and productivity per unit area an experiment was conducted at Regional Muga Research Station, Boko in lower Assam by cultivating intercrops both in Kharif and Rabi seasons during the years 1996 to 1999 in Soalu plantations raised in 3x3 and 4x4 metre spacing. Net return per acre from intercrops in both spacing has been worked out. The effect of intercrops on plantations has also been studied through leaf yield and its contributing characters. The study reveals that Cucumber in kharif season and Brinjal in rabi season are most remunerative in both spacing. Intercropping helps in increase in leaf yield to the tune of 135 kgs per acre in 3x3 metre and 192.5 Kgs per acre in 4x4 metre spacing during gestation period.

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