Inter Cropping or Fillers:
Usually mangoes are planted wide apart and have juvenile period of 4-5 years. Hence, the interspaces can profitably be utilized for growing of crops. Select the intercrop very carefully. For the proper development of root system and canopy of the young plants, aeration and moisture is very necessary.
It will be beneficial to remove weeds from the basins periodically. Intercrop should not interfere with the mango plants for nutrition, light and moisture. Intercrops can be grown for the first 4-5 years of age of the plants. Wheat can be sown by providing separate irrigation system to the mango plants. Pulses like grams and massar should be preferred. In Khariff season Moong or Arhar should be grown. Vegetable growing can be useful than intercrops. In Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane and poplar are being grown as intercrops.
Fillers are a good alternative to intercrops. Fruit plants like Plums, Peaches and Papaya can be planted as filler in mango plantations. Mango is a slow growing fruit crop. Hence, mango itself can be used a filler, which should be removed when it starts interfering with the main plants.
