Assessing the Physiological Parameters of Filler Crops Intercropped under Rubber Plantation

Cut foliage’s assume a significant place in domestic and international flower markets and it make up a prime section of floral industry as fillers. Cut foliages are being used in large quantities for floral decoration either on its own or in association with flowers in bouquets and flower arrangements. Most of these are shade loving and so they are suitable for intercropping in rubber plantations under shade. In this study a total of nine species where intercropped in rubber plantations. The experiment was laid down in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The physiological parameters of filler crops were analysed. It was found that the species Dypsis lutesence exhibited highest leaf area (188.4cm2/plant), leaf area index (0.0232), Absolute Growth Rate (0.41 g/day) and Crop Growth Rate (g/m2/day) whereas the total chlorophyll content was found to be the highest (1.77 mg/g leaf tissue) in Dracaena fragrans cv. massangeana.