Co-cultivation of a medicinal plant kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall ex. Nees] with food crops for enhancing field productivity and resource use efficiency

Kalmegh [Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall ex. Nees] herb is a sciophytic in nature and possess versatile medicinal properties due to which its requirements upsurge in the industries. The present aims of the study is to enhance yield productivity and quality of kalmegh by providing natural shade condition through co-cultivation of traditional food crops [grain crops viz.- maize (Zea mays L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), pulse crop pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) and vegetable crop okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)] for sustainable agriculture and better resource use efficiency. All traditional crops were intercropped with kalmegh at their full 100 % (55,555 plants ha−1), 75 % (37,037 plants ha−1), and 50 % (27,777 plants ha−1) plant population, with a full plant population of kalmegh (55,555 plants ha−1). The research findings revealed that intercropping of pigeon pea at 50 % plant population gave the highest dry herb of kalmegh (4412 kg ha−1) followed by okra at 50 % plant population (4253 kg ha−1) and kalmegh + pigeon pea at 75 % plant population (4011 kg ha−1) over the kalmegh sole (3080 kg ha−1). However, net returns of kalmegh with pigeon pea (2016–2208 USD ha−1) were highest followed by okra (1465–2001 USD ha−1), pearl millet (1064–1265 USD ha−1) and maize (1123–1241 USD ha−1). Among all, intercropping combinations, kalmegh with pigeon pea at 50 % plant population was found to be appropriate combination, as it would aid to highest productivity, andrographolide content and monetary returns.