Biological performance and profitability study of different medicinal plants grown as intercrops in arecanut plantations

Monocropping of arecanut (Areca catechu L.) results in underutilised resources. However, including medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) provides a sustainable way to enhance soil health, resource efficiency and financial rewards. In Odisha, favourable climate and arecanut canopy structure support MAP cultivation, yet adoption remains limited. To explore the productivity and economics of arecanut based cropping systems, a field experiment was conducted in a 5-year-old arecanut plantation during 2021–23. Three cropping systems combined with varied nutrient management strategies including organic recycling and biofertilizers were evaluated. The results indicated that application of biofertilizers consortia along with organic recycling of biomass + 75 % of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) through soil test based dose (STD) in arecanut + Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) + Rauvolfia serpentina (sarpagandha) system recorded higher chali yield (2.33 kg palm-1). Whereas highest arecanut equivalent yield (84.46 q ha-1)was obtained with arecanut + turmeric + black turmeric under 100 % NPK and organic recycling. Maximum system productivity (91.35 q ha-1) was noted in arecanut + Andrographis paniculata (kalmegh) + Ocimum sanctum (tulsi) with organic recycling of biomass and application of 75 % NPK and biofertilizer consortia. Arecanut + Curcuma longa (turmeric) + C. caesia (black turmeric) system with organic recycling of biomass and 100 % NPK (STD) exhibited the maximum net return (₹1069363), while arecanut + W. somnifera (ashwagandha) + R. serpentina (sarpagandha) reported the maximum benefit-cost (B:C) ratio (2.66). These findings highlight arecanut based cropping system as an economically viable, resource-efficient cropping strategy for Odisha.