Guidelines for
Intercropping
Introduction
Intercropping, namely the planting of other crops in rubber stand is
becoming popular as this practice can generate extra income from the
same piece of land. Intercropping can be categorized into three kinds
based on the normal life of the crops planted: temporary (planting of cash
crops e.g. corn, upland rice, groundnuts, soybeans), semi-permanent (e.g.
planting of pineapples, abaca, banana) and permanent (planting of
perennials e.g. coffee, mango, jack fruit, Durian sp). Cash and semi-
permanent crops will enable income to be derived before the rubber plants
come into tapping. Permanent intercrop will give seasonal extra income
during the mature phase of rubber. The planting of intercrop has the
following objectives:
a. Crop diversification to reduce the risk and dependence
on mono-cropping rubber.
b. Optimize use of available land area and labor.
c. Increase land productivity and income in a sustainable
manner.
d. Elevate economic viability of small landholdings
e. Ensure viability of rubber production in combination with
other high value crops.
E X H I B I T 15:
EXHIBIT 1 3 : Left:
L e f t : Single-Hedgerow
S i n g l e - H e d g e r o w Rubber
r u b b e r i Intercropped
n t e r c r o p p e d with
w i t h Upland
u p l a n d rRice.
ic e
R i g h t : D o u b l e - h e d g e r o w r u b b e r
Right: Double-Hedgerrow Rubber Planted in East-West Orientation, with p l a n t e d i n E a s t - W e s t o r i e n t a t i o n ,
Corn and Durian w i t hPlanted
c o r n a nind Between
d u r i a n p l Hedges.
a n te d in b e tw e e n h e d g e s
CAP-PBD Post-Replanting Rubber Manual 139
Guidelines for
Intercropping
1. Selection of Inter-Crops
It is important to select the appropriate crops to be intercropped with
rubber. While cash crops (temporary in nature) and semi-permanent crops
can be selected based on the performance of such crops in the region,
selection of crops to be permanent in the rubber stand is more critical.
Selection should be based on:
2.1 The economics of the inter crops (crop value, marketability, agronomic
inputs)
2.2 Pests and diseases (the inter crop should not have common pests
and diseases with the rubber plants)
2.3 Work load during harvesting
2.4 Physiognomy of the inter crops during maturity
2. Inter-Cropping with Rubber
To get the maximum benefit from intercropping practice in rubber stands, it
is necessary to modify the planting pattern of the rubber tees. In order to
allow maximum light penetration to the intercropped area, rubber is planted
in hedge- rows that can take three forms: single hedge, double hedge and
triple hedge.
EXHIBIT
E X H I B I T 16:
1 4 : Left:
L e f t :Double-Hedgerow
D o u b l e - H e d g e r o wRubber
r u b b e rwith
w i t hBanana
b a n a n aasa Intercropped.
s in te r c r o p .
R ig h t : S in g le - h e d g e r o w r u b b e r w it h M a n g o a s a lt e r n a t e c r o p
Right: Single Hedgerow Rubber with Mango as Alternate Crop.
CAP-PBD Post-Replanting Rubber Manual 140
Guidelines for
Intercropping
3. Features of Hedge Row Planting
1. Rubber trees are planted close together forming hedges
2. The rubber stand is maintained at economic or optimal density of 400
trees/ha or more.
3. The space between the hedges are utilized to grow intercrops or
livestock.
4. Planting of rubber and intercrops may be done simultaneously or
staggered.
4. Types of Hedge Row Planting System
1. Single-row Hedge - 18m x 1.4m (density of rubber = 400 trees/ha) for
steep land of 20 to 40 degrees slope. Planting
orientation follows contour of the slope.
2. Double-row Hedge - 22m x 3m x 2m (density of rubber = 400 trees/
ha) for flat to undulating land of <20 degrees
slope. Planting orientation is East - West
direction.
3. Triple-row Hedge - 25m x 3m x 3m x 2m (density of rubber = 480
trees/ha) for flat land. Planting orientation is East-
West direction.
5. Fertilization Requirement
Both the rubber and the inter crop should undergo separate fertilization
regimes. Rubber trees should be fertilized according to the needs of
insufficient elements (through soil and foliar analysis) while standard
fertilizer inputs for the inter crops should be observed.
6. Effect of Hedge Planting on
Performance of Rubber
Based on experiments conducted by Ruber Research Institute of Malaysia
(RRIM), the growth rate of rubber was not significantly affected by the
hedge planting systems if separate fertilization regimes are followed. Yield
CAP-PBD Post-Replanting Rubber Manual 141
Guidelines for
Intercropping
of rubber was also not significantly affected by the presence of perennial
intercrops.
7. Rubber Clones
Rubber clones selected for hedge-planting should be high yielding and
resistant to wind damage. For instance, clones RRIM 600, RRIM 712,
RRIM 729, PB 217, PR 255, RIM 901.
8. Fertilization Application for Rubber
During the first 18 months after rubber establishment in the field, fertilizer
for rubber should be applied around the base of the trees. After the 18-
month period, fertilizer should be applied along the tree rows as well as
long the sides of the rubber rows for double and triple-row hedge planting
systems while for single-row hedge planting fertilizer should be applied
along the terraces.
9. Supplies for Rubber
About 5 to 10% of planting materials should be prepared for supplies during
the first 18 months after field establishments. Use of advanced planting
materials (APM) is preferred.
CAP-PBD Post-Replanting Rubber Manual 142