Increasing the planting density of

Increasing the planting density of banana in the intercrop had significant
agronomic and economic advantages over the present recommended single row
intercrop. No adverse effects of increasing planting density of banana on either the
component rubber or banana crop growth were observed and instead both crops
appeared to benefit from each other through the provision of shade. On average, up to
u 36 and 25% increase in biomass yield was observed on a plant basis for banana and
rubber crops respectively, as planting density of banana was increased from one to
three rows. Consequently, total biomass per unit area increased by more than 150%
from the BR to BBBR treatment.