Agrisilviculture System Research Articles

Evaluation of soil and foliar application effects of nitrogen on yield attributes of lentil (Lens culinaris M.) under teak based agri-silviculture system

Evaluation of soil and foliar application effects of nitrogen on yield attributes of lentil (Lens culinaris M.) under teak based agri-silviculture system

Agroforestry systems practiced in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, India

Chhattisgarh state has very diverse forest ecosystem and long history of traditional agroforestry. An agroforestry practice is location specific and depends on nature of agro-climatic zone. In Chhattisgarh, farmers are doing this farming practices based on fulfilling their diverse need and improvement of socioeconomic condition but stilldata is insufficient to explore more agroforestry practices in the state. In this context, assessment of different agroforestry models gives not only sufficient data but also open a door for conservation of biological diversity.. Different models like’s Boundary plantations, Agri-silviculture system, Horti-silvicuture, Silvi-pasture, Kitchen garden and Block plantation are used by farmers in Dhamtari. All models are dependent on location characteristic, land use type, soil type, climate and market requirement. This paper highlights the different models of Agroforestry, specific model for the specific sites, lacuna in models faced by farmers and role of agroforestry models in socioeconomic upliftment.

Agroforestry Systems as Habitat for Avian Species: Assessing Its Role in Conservation

In the current scenario of rapid conversion of tropical forests into human-dominated activities landscape, the present study was undertaken to understand the role of existing agroforestry systems in conservation of avian species. Three types of agroforestry systems namely tea gardens, homegardens and agrisilviculture were selected in the Brahmaputra North Bank Landscape of Assam, northeast India for the study. A total of 468 point counts revealed 164 bird species belonging to 51 families and 18 orders across all the three different types of agroforestry systems. Tea gardens showed significantly higher bird species richness followed by homegardens and agrisilviculture systems. As per IUCN, four species were categorized as Near Threatened and one species was categorized as Vulnerable. Out of 164 species recorded, 68.3% species were residents, 30.5% species were winter visitors and remaining were summer visitors (1.2%). Majority of the species (45.7%) were common to all the three types of selected agroforestry systems. The feeding guilds revealed that most of the species were insectivorous (50.0%) in habit. A total of 167 tree species belonging to 54 families and 24 orders was recorded across all the three different types of agroforestry systems. The highest tree species richness was recorded in the homegardens (160), followed by agrisilviculture systems (19) and least in tea gardens (11). No statistically significant correlation was found among bird species richness and patch size, tree species richness and number of bird species individuals. The selected agroforestry systems have provided shelter, nesting space, feeding and foraging grounds for birds during the winter season. This data can be useful for the policy makers, tea garden managers, homegarden owners for framing conservation policies of avian species in an era of natural wildlife habitat loss and degradation.

Physiological Parameters, Leaf Nitrogen Content and Grain Yield of Finger Millet as Affected by Different Sources of Organic Manures under INM in Comparison with RDF

Finger millet was grown under three year old Melia azedarach in red sandy loam soil with different management options viz., application of farm yard manure (FYM) @ 10 t ha-1, 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (40:20:20 NPK kg ha-1) alone, and in conjunction with 75% RD N with 25% N through FYM, Vermicompost, Poultry manure; also with biofertilizers @ 5 kg ha-1Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) along with finger millet alone as sole cropping with 100% RDF. The physiological parameters such as LAI, CGR, NAR and SPAD values (leaf nitrogen content) were recorded at critical growth stages of the crop along with grain yield of finger millet. The physiological parameters such as LAI, CGR, NAR and SPAD values (leaf nitrogen content) were recorded at critical growth stages of the crop along with grain yield of finger millet. Higher physiological parameters and grain yield of rice was recorded with the INM practice followed by recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) treatment. Among the organic treatments, higher grain yield of finger millet was recorded with sole crop on par with 75% RD N + 25% N poultry manure (2405 kg ha-1) and 100% RDF (2393 kg ha-1). The lowest grain (1583 kg ha-1) was found with control FYM @ 10 t ha-1 i.e., farmers practice. Similar trend was observed for all the physiological parameters recorded and harvest index of the rice crop. From the present investigation, it can be inferred that, among nutrient management practices tested, 75% RD N + 25% N poultry manure and 100% RDF in agri-silviculture system was better for realizing higher grain yield and physiological parameters apart from sustaining better soil nutrient status on sandy loam soils of Southern Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.

GROWTH OF NATIVE TREES IN TWO AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT Agroforestry systems with eucalyptus prevail in Central and Southeast Brazil, and little information is available about systems using native trees. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the development of seven native tree species grown under two agroforestry systems. The experiment was conducted starting in 2007 in 12-hectare area in the municipality of São Carlos, São Paulo state, Brazil. The tree species planted in the two systems (a silvopastoral system and an agrisilvicultural system) were: 'capixingui' (Croton floribundus) and 'mutambo' (Guazuma ulmifolia) (tutors), 'jequitibá-branco' (Cariniana estrellensis), 'canafistula' (Peltophorum dubium) and 'ipê felpudo' (Zeyheria tuberculosa) (timber trees), and 'angico-branco' (Anadenanthera colubrina) and 'pau-jacaré' (Piptadenia gonoacantha) (N-fixing trees). Data were collected for 48 months. The results show differences among tree development, which was evaluated as growth in height and diameter, as well as sensitivity to insect and disease damage. The overall results show that the agrisilvicultural system allowed better tree development. The species with best performance in the two systems were capixingui, mutambo and canafístula. Ipê-felpudo and jequitibá-branco showed the worst results. The high variability among individuals of the same species indicates the possibility of high production advances with selective breeding of these species.

Performance of Bamboo based Agri-silvicultural Systems in North Odisha, India

A field experiment was conducted at Gobardhansul village of Baripada block, Mayurbhanj, during kharif season of June, 2014 to study the performance of bamboo based agri-silvicultural systems in north Odisha. The silvicultural component Bambusa vulgaris was grown at three different spacings (5×5 m2, 8×5 m2 and 8×8 m2) and four intercrops (cowpea, rice bean, turmeric and yam) were taken up within the interspaces in a randomized block design with 3 replications. Cowpea (Var: Utkalmanika), rice bean (var: SRBS-35), turmeric (var. Surama) and yam (var: Orissa Elite) were sown on 2nd July 2014 with recommended agronomic management practices and received 963.4 mm rainfall during the growing season. Maximum clump height, clump girth, total numbers of culms/clump and canopy diameter were recorded in bamboo at 8×8 m2 spacing followed by 8×5 m2 spacing. The narrowest spacing of 5×5 m2 had the lowest values of all growth parameters during the period of study. Irrespective of the spacing, cowpea and rice bean intercropped with bamboo recorded significantly more growth of bamboo as compared to turmeric and yam. All the intercrops yielded maximum at wider spacing and yield decreased progressively with decrease in spacing from 8×8 m2 to 5×5 m2. The decrease in bamboo yield obtained from 8×8 m2 spacing was to the extent of 15.57 and 6.80%, respectively over the narrower spacing of 5×5 m2 and 8×5 m2.

ALLOMETRIC MODELS FOR ESTIMATING ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS AND BIOMASS ALLOCATION OF CAPIXINGUI TREES (Croton floribundus Spreng.) IN AN AGRISILVICULTURAL SYSTEM

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to select allometric models to estimate total and pooled aboveground biomass of 4.5-year-old capixingui trees established in an agrisilvicultural system. Aboveground biomass distribution of capixingui was also evaluated. Single- (diameter at breast height [DBH] or crown diameter or stem diameter as the independent variable) and double-entry (DBH or crown diameter or stem diameter and total height as independent variables) models were studied. The estimated total biomass was 17.3 t.ha-1, corresponding to 86.6 kg per tree. All models showed a good fit to the data (R2ad > 0.85) for bole, branches, and total biomass. DBH-based models presented the best residual distribution. Model lnW = b0 + b1* lnDBH can be recommended for aboveground biomass estimation. Lower coefficients were obtained for leaves (R2ad > 82%). Biomass distribution followed the order: bole>branches>leaves. Bole biomass percentage decreased with increasing DBH of the trees, whereas branch biomass increased.

Pongamia pinnata L. (Karanja) based agri-silviculture system under rainfed conditions of south-west Haryana

The present study was conducted to assess the the performance of Karanja based agri-silviculture system in rainfed conditions of south west Haryana. The results showed that the yield (grain and fodder) of different crops was not affected significantly by the Karanja trees during initial four years of plantation. The mean grain yield of crops viz. cowpea (9.47q/ha), cluster bean (9.13q/ha), dhaincha (8.57 q/ha) and mung bean (9.50q/ha) was slightly less in agri-silvicultue system as compared to sole cropping. Similar trend was also observed for fodderyield. Karanja growth (height and diameter) was more in agri-silviculture as compared to sole plantation. Maximum height of 300.00 cm and diameter of 89.20 mm was recorded when Karanja was intercropped with cowpea, whereas it was 281.20 cm (height) and 80.90 mm (diameter) in sole plantation. Agri-silviculture system also improved the organic carbon and available N, P, K as compared to sole cropping. The lower net returns from agri-silviculture system of Karanja + cowpea (Rs. 7178/ha), Karanja +clusterbean (Rs. 7725/ha), Karanja +dhaincha (Rs. 7254/ha) and Karanja + mung bean (Rs. 7100/ha) were mainly due to the fact that during initial years Karanja plantation required some cost without any economic return. It is evident from the results that the cost of establishment of plantation can be meet out through intercropping during the gestation period of Karanja plantation.

Growth and yield of Vigna radiata L.) under Terminalia arjuna and Mitragyna parvifolia based agrisilvicultural system

The present investigation was carried out in an agrisilvicultural system with treatments involving silvicultural component of 20 years old Terminalia arjuna Bedd. (Arjun) and Mitragyna parvifolia Korth (Kalam) intercropped with agricultural component of four varieties of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) viz. Pusa Vishal, GM-3, GM-4 and K-851. All the varieties of green gram were compared for growth and yield parameters like plant height (cm), number of leaves, number of branches per plant, total grain yield per plant as well as per plot at harvestablestage under Arjuna and Kalam trees. All the varieties of green gram performed superior in terms of number of leaves, numbers of branches, grain yield (per plant and per plot basis) under open condition as compared to crops under Arjuna and Kalam. However, only the plant height was found to be highest under Arjun, followed by Kalam trees. Among all the varieties tested, K-851 variety showed superiority for number of leaves (12.31) and number of branches per plant (3.96) and grain yield (2.66 gm per plant and 0.80 kg per plot) as compared to other varieties (at P=0.05). Therefore, this variety is suggested to grow in south Gujarat condition. Further, comparatively lower yield of crop under tree cover could be due to shade effect, which can be managed by regular pruning of tree branches.

Evaluation Growth and Yield of Wheat Varieties under Ceiba pentandra (L) Based Agrisilviculture System

A field experiment was conducted at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur Chattisgarh India to evaluate the growth and yield of wheat varieties under Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn based on agrisilviculture system. The experiment consisted of 76 treatments combination of three tree spacing treatments (4×4m, 4×6m and 4×8m), four wheat varieties ( Sujata, GW-173, GW-273 and HD-2004) , two pruning regime, three distances (0.5 to 1.0 m, 1.0 to 3.0 m and >3.0 m) and four control plots (for each wheat variety). The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design and it was replicated four times. After 9 years, Growth parameter of Ceiba tree stands revealed that the tree height, diameter at breast height, crown width and length, Number of pod tree -1 , Pod length, seed and floss yield decreased numerically from the lower tree density to higher density. Growth and yields were significantly higher in sole wheat than in wheat grown with C. pentandra. Shoot length in wheat decreased by 4.5-17.1%, while root length decreased by 29.8-35.9% at 60 days after sowing. The leaf area index of wheat did no t exhibit any significant variation, but photo synthetically active radiation (PAR) interception was significantly higher in sole wheat and wheat intercrops under 4×8m spacing. The grain yield ranged from 24.0 to 29.1q/ha, Grain yield was highest in HD-2004 variety. The order of yield reduction in different verities was HD-2004 (34.5 %)>GW-173 (17.6 %)> Sujata (14.5%) when compared with HD-2004 variety. Higher grain yield (28.7 q/ha) was obtained in 4x8m tree spacing , while in other two tree spacings the grain yield was ( 25.40 q/ha) in 4x6m and (24.90 q/ha ) 4x4m spaicng. Growth parameters and Grain yield also varied with distance from the tree base.

Agroforestry practices for physiological amelioration of salt affected soils

Agroforestry is a sustainable land use system act as an alternative form of biological reclamation in salt affected soils apart from sustainable production, continuous income, and regular employment along with food and nutrition security. In general, salt affected soils get ameliorated by tree species; however, following factors such as nature and type of tree species planted, growth habit, quantity and quality of litter production, planting density, nitrogen fixation, and different management practices are influenced. In the present study, various studies pertaining to soil reclamation in the salt affected soils are reviewed. Overall result showed that trees grown with crops, horticultural crops, pastures resulted in improvement of physical and chemical properties of soil under various agroforestry systems. For instance, reduction of soil pH, electrical conductivity, and exchangeable sodium percentage minimization of salt deposition in the upper layers of the soil, improvement of water permeability and water holding capacity, improvement of infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity with soil fertility, enhancement of cation exchange capacity, and other features are characteristics of soil as influenced by tree species, as well as through agroforestry practices. Various multipurpose tree species such as Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia nilotica, Albizia lebbeck, Terminalia arjuna, Casuarina equisetifolia, Prosopis cineraria, Prosopis juliflora; and fruit trees such as Zizyphus jujuba, Emblica officinalis, Syzygium cumini, and Tamarindus indica ameliorated the different salt affected soils in different agroforestry systems viz., agrisilvicultural system, silvipastoral system, multipurpose wood lot, and agrihorisilvicultural system. Thus, agroforestry system provides an alternative for restoring soil health and amelioration of salt affected soils for further yield improvement. Therefore, these species are suggested for reclamation of salt affected soil through agroforestry systems.

Tree Growth, Litter Fall And Leaf Litter Decomposition OfCasuraina equisetifoliaBase Agri-Silviculture System

Tree growth, litter fall and leaf litter decomposition, nutrient return thought leaf litter and litter decomposition were 12 year old Csuraina equisetifolia plantation. The Tree growth under agri-silvicultural system at the beginning of experiment the observations recorded with respect to certain growth parameters of Casuarina equisetifolia have been shown in Table 1 2012–2013. The maximum tree height (14.59 m) found in tree no 4; Dbh (26.22 cm) and canopy width (4.18 m) were recorded in the same tree number 3. Whereas the maximum canopy length (4.32 m) was found in the tree number 3. In the next year 2013–2014 the observations recorded with respect to certain growth parameters at the end of experiment of Casuarina equisetifolia have been shown in Table 2. and the maximum tree height (17.98 m) found in tree no 2; Dbh (28.92 cm) and canopy width (7.04 m) were recorded in the same tree number 3. Whereas the maximum canopy length (7.61 m) was found in the tree number 3. The maximum litter from litter trap was recorded in (68.33 g) month of February during 2012–2013 and the minimum litter from litter traps was found in (27.98 g) month of September during the year 2013–2014.

Comparative Growth Analysis and Yield Performance of Glycine Max under Jatropha Curcas Based Agrisilviculture System of Agroforestry in the Northern Part of Bangladesh

This research was conducted at the Agroforestry Research Farm, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University to quantify the effects of pruning height in Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) and fertility levels of the recommended dose of NPK in Glycine max L. (Soybean) on crop growth parameters and yield in the agrisilviculture system of Agroforestry. The pruning in Jatropha and fertility level favored growth parameters with varying magnitudes. Six growth indices like CGR, RGR, NAR, LAI, RLGR, and SLW were observed to be higher under various pruning heights and reduced under no pruning. After that, scale of yield varied with pruning heights and fertility levels. Grain, straw and biological yield of 100 cm pruning height in Jatropha increased by 15.38 %, 13.74 % and 14.61 % respectively in comparison to sole crop and other pruning height level. At that time, I showed that these three yields of 100 % of the recommended dose of NPK (100 % RDF) in Soybean are comparatively higher than other fertility level. Hence, proper pruning system and optimum fertility level are important for improving Soybean yield under Jatropha based agrisilviculture system and it ensures higher income to the farmers and efficient land management compared to its sole cropping.

Assessment of Economic Viability of Different Agroforestry Systems in Giri Catchment, Himachal Pradesh

In Himachal Pradesh, 80 percent of its total population lives in villages. Their economy is depends on agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. The practice of pure agriculture in HP is sufficient for the inhabitants to sustain only their food requirements but, for other needs peoples are forced to exploit forests. The present investigation was carried out in Giri catchment in located between 30O 33’ 48’’ and 31O16’ 08’’ N latitude and 77O 02’ 32’’ to 77O 38’ 22’’ E longitude in Himachal Pradesh. The net returns from agroforestry systems decreased, though statistically insignificant, in the order agrisilviculture system (277415.00 Rs. ha−l yr−1) > agrisilvihorticulture system (270747.00 ha−l yr−1) > agrihortisilviculture (269033.00 ha−l yr−1) > agrihortisilviculture (225880.30 ha−l yr−1) systems. The benefit-cost ratio in silvipasturesystemwas significantlyhigher(3.34) than allothersystemsand itdecreasedinthe order: S6(2.53) >S4(2.38) > S3(2.17) > S1(2.10) > S1(1.87).

Carbon Stocks in Organic Coffee Systems in Chiapas, Mexico

Agroforestry systems contribute to the maintenance of ecosystem functions, especially agrisilvicultural systems such as shade coffee systems. However, the role of organic crops to store carbon has been scarcely investigated. This study aimed to quantify carbon stocks in organic polyculture coffee plantations, non-organic polyculture plantations, and organic Inga spp.-shaded coffee systems in northern Chiapas, Mexico. Vegetation inventories were carried out in 1,000 and 100 m 2 circular plots from six agroforestry communities. Carbon stocks were estimated from living biomass and roots through allometric formulas; dead biomass and soil organic matter (0- 0.3 m- in depth) were collected, dried, weighted and processed for laboratory analysis. Firstly, results showed that living biomass contributed about 30% of total carbon; soil organic carbon particularly contributed between 56 and 70%; while dead organic matter represented between 3 and 5% of total carbon in the system. Organic polyculture coffee plantations stored significantly more carbon in soil (0.1-0.3 m in depth) and tree biomass than non-organic polyculture coffee plantations. These stocks were intermediate in organic Inga spp. - shaded coffee system. Secondly, dead organic matter was statistically similar between systems. Thus, organic polyculture coffee plantations, non-organic polyculture, and organic Inga spp.-shade system stored 194.7, 134.9, and 154.3 Mg C ha -1 of total carbon, respectively. In the same order, these systems stored in live aboveground biomass 57.5, 53.0, and 46.9 Mg C ha -1 , respectively. Dead organic matter had similar amounts of C stored in the three studied systems (6.3 Mg C ha -1 ). The amounts of total carbon stocks in organic coffee were higher than those reported for others in coffee plantations in Central America and, particularly, similar to some dry and semi-humid forests and other agrisilvicultural systems in Mexico. The results highlight the importance of coffee, especially organic coffee to provide the environmental function of carbon sequestration.

Timber-based agrisilviculture improves financial viability of hardwood plantations: a case study from Panama

Tree plantations are widely considered a sustainable and economically feasible way to foster reforestation of degraded tropical lands. However, the greatest obstacle to their implementation is the 5–10 years period before initial returns through tree harvesting are realized. This study evaluated the feasibility of generating returns in this period by intercropping hardwood plantations with annual crops. In an agroforestry trial established in eastern Panama, the costs and revenues of intercropping five native and one exotic (Tectona grandis) tree species with three different agricultural treatments––maize-beans, pigeon pea and cassava––were assessed. All tree-crop combinations, except those with cassava, generated positive net cash flows during the first years. Over the modeled rotation period of 25 years, the agrisilvicultural systems showed up to 50 % higher net present values (NPV) than pure forestry (given a 6 % interest rate), while most tree-crop combinations exceeded the NPV of pure agriculture. T. grandis intercropped with pigeon pea showed the best economic performance. The NPVs of the agrisilvicultural systems were less sensitive to changes in costs or revenues than either pure forestry or pure agriculture. Accordingly, the final felling value required for intercropping treatments to meet the desired interest rate of 6 % was up to 90 % lower than that for pure forest plantations. This effect was strongest for native tree species, as their slower growth allowed for longer periods of intercropping. Results suggest that intercropping hardwood plantations can be an effective tool for improving financial feasibility of reforestation while providing increased food security in rural areas.

Economics and yield performance of some short duration fruit and medicinal crops under agrisilvicultural system in rainfed uplands of Odisha

A field experiment was conducted during 2011-12 in an agrisilvicultural system consisting of two silvicultural species viz. Acacia mangium (mangium) and Gmelina arborea (gamhar) planted in 2000 at a spacing of 8m x 2m and four agricultural crops viz. Ananas comosus (pineapple), Aloe vera (aloevera), Andrographis paniculata(kalmegh) and Curcuma amada (mangoginger) were raised in the 1st week of July, 2011.The maximum volume increment were achieved by mangium with pineapple (16.53 m3/ha). Pineapple also registered the maximum fruit yield of 9981Kgha-1 under mangium and minimum under gamhar (9106 Kgha-1). The fresh leave yield of aloevera (8635Kg ha-1) was maximum under mangium which is statistically at par with gamhar. However, kalmegh recorded maximum dry plant yield of 1239 Kgha-1 under open condition followed by 1072 Kgha-1 under gamhar and 823 Kgha-1 under mangium. Similarly, mangoginger exhibited maximum rhizome yield of 3300 Kgha-1 under open condition followed by 1979 Kgha-1 under gamhar and 1597 Kgha-1 under mangium. The trend of crop yield under both the trees and open condition was: Pineapple >Aloevera>Mangoginger>Kalmegh. A. mangium with pineapple based agrisilvicultural system recorded the highest gross return, net return and BCR as compared to other agrisilvicultural systems and sole crops.

Wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) Yield and Soil Properties as Influenced by Different Agri-silviculture Systems of Terai Region, Northern India

Field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2008–2009 on an established plantation atAgroforestry Research Centre, Haldi, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar to evaluate the effect of tree species and their spacing on yield of intercrop wheat (variety PBW-502) and soil properties. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 3 replications. The highest grain yield (36.0 q ha−1) was obtained under open farming system (control). The reduction in grain yield was in the range of 16 to 62% under agroforestry systems as compared to control. Poplar based agri-silvicultural system performed better as compared to other systems. Highest wheat yield was recorded in 3.0×2.5 m2 spacing under Poplar, Melia, and Leucaena based agri-silvicultural system but in the case of Eucalyptus, 3.0×2.0 m2 spacing was the best. The organic carbon was highest under Poplar (1.73%) as compared to control (0.60%). The electrical conductivity was significantly lowered under Leucaena interfaces as compared to control. Whereas, soil pH was lowered under Poplar (at 3.0×2.0 m2) and statistically similar with Leucaena (at 3.0×1.0 m2). Bulk density was significantly decreased under Leucaena and Melia interfaces at 3.0×1.0 m2 spacing. Highest available N, P2O5 and K2O content (200.42, 18.67 and 169.12 kg ha−1, respectively) were observed in the soil under Leucaena (3.0×2.0 m2).

Performance of Wheat and Paddy Intercropped under Casuarina Equisetifolia based Agri-Silvicultural System on Sodic Wasteland

A field experiment was conducted during rabi and kharif season, 2009-10 at main Experiment Station (Forestry), Kumarganj, Faizabad, U.P. to evaluate the performance of Wheat and Paddy intercropped under Casuarina equisetifolia based Agri-silvicultural System. The system comprises three varieties of wheat (NW-1067, NW-1014, and HD-2643) and three varieties of Paddy (Sarjoo-52, Narendra Usar-2 and Narendra Usar-3). The experiment was laid in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. . Under this study plant height and straw yield were found better for Wheat variety HD-2643 (plant height 96.00 cm and straw yield 2.47 t ha-1) and Paddy variety Narendra Usar -2 (plant height 94.33 cm and straw yield 2.41 t ha-1), when the crop was grown 1 m away from tree base. However, maximum number of per ear/ panicle, test weight (1000-grain weight) and grain yield were recorded in case of Wheat variety NW-1067 (1.26 t ha-1) and Paddy variety Narendra Usar-2 (1.65 t ha-1), when the crop was grown in open area. Amongst different varieties, Wheat variety NW-1067 and Paddy variety Narendra Usar-2 were found better for cultivation under this study.

Influence of canopy pruning on light availability and grain yield of intercrops in white siris (Albizia procera)-based agrisilviculture system

A field experiment was conducted during 2006–08 at Jhansi to elucidate the influence of canopy pruning in white siris [Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth.] on light interception and grain yield of intercrop. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications. Blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) - mustard (Brassica juncia L. Czern. and Coss.) crop sequence was taken as intercrop. The pruning of tree canopy was done with 3 pruning regimes namely 70% canopy pruning, 50% canopy pruning and control (unpruned tree). The results reveal that the growth of A. procera (dbh, height and canopy diameter) was significantly (P= 0.05) higher in control (unpruned trees) compared with 50% canopy pruning and 70% canopy pruning. Grain yield of blackgram was two times higher in 70% canopy pruning than the yield obtained with unpruned trees. Similarly the yield of mustard was three times higher in 70% canopy pruning than unpruned trees during both the years. The grain yield of intercrop under 50% canopy pruning was also significantly higher than unpruned trees. Light interception by intercrops was higher under 70% canopy pruning and lower with unpruned trees. The light interception increased with increasing distances from tree base. The grain yield of intercrops was linearly correlated with light interception.