Yield and Nutrient Uptake Pattern of Wheat in Eucalyptus Based Agroforestry System

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil during the two rabi seasons at research farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, to study the effect of different irrigation levels viz., no post sowing irrigation, two irrigations at 22 and 85 days after sowing (DAS), four irrigations at 22, 45, 85 and 105 DAS, and six irrigations at 22, 45, 65, 85, 105 and 120 DAS, and four fertilizer levels (0, 75, 100 and 125 per cent of the recommended dose of 150 kg N and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1) on yield and uptake of NPK of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) intercropped with 4-5 years old plantation of Eucalyptus tereticornis (6 x 2 m) vis-à-vis sole Wheat. In Eucalyptus based Agroforestry System, application of six irrigations and 125 per cent of recommended dose of fertilizer resulted in higher grain and straw yield of Wheat, whereas in sole Wheat significantly higher grain and straw yield of Wheat was recorded only up to two irrigations and 100 per cent of recommended fertilizer dose. The maximum uptake of N P K was recorded at six irrigations and 125 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer in Eucalyptus based Agroforestry System. The N P K uptake in sole Wheat also increased with increase in fertilizer levels, however, irrigation frequency effects varied with the nutrient.