Abstract

Multiple cropping is a characteristic feature of the land use in the homesteads of kerala. Homesteads are used for cultivation of seasonal and annual crops like pulses, banana, tubers vegetables, etc. and perennial crops like coconut, aracanut palmyra, rubber, pepper, cocoa, nutmeg, pineapple, coffee, cardamon etc. In addition to these crops, tree species such as jack (Artocarpus integrifolia), mango (Mangifera indica), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), kodapuly (Garcinia gummi-guttata), kadaplavu (Artocarpus communis), badam (Terminalia cattappa), matty (Ailanthus triphysa), teak Tectona grandis, rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia), anjily (Artocarpus hirsutus), bombax (Bombax ceiba), vatta (Macaranga peltata), etc. and other fruit and ornamental trees, bamboo and fodder grass are grown inthe homesteads and the space among trees and the fallow lands are used by cattle for grazing. Thus agroforestry - either agrosilviculture or silvopastoral or