Performance of Arbi (Colocasia esculenta) under Eucalyptus tereticornis-based Agroforestry System in Plains of Chhattisgarh

Author: Piyusha Yadav, Sarita Bodalkar, Priyanka Kashyap, Dayanand Sai Painkra and Jaymangal Tirkey

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Abstract

The experiment was carried out at Herbal Garden of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.) during July 2019 to March 2020. The objectives of experiment were, to study the effect of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus tereticornis) on growth and yield behaviour of two varieties of Arbi (Colocasia esculenta) and to study the growth behaviour of Eucalyptus tree under Agroforestry System. For this study, the suitable experimental design was laid out on Factorial Randomize Block Design (RBD) with 2 varieties (Indira Arbi-I and Arbi CG–II). Wherein two Treatments and five Replications were carried out on the field. The treatments were used T1 (RDF), & T2 (no fertilizer). Important challenges faced during experiment were reduced rate of transpiration, higher relative humidity under the tree canopy and effective utilization of PAR to achieve sufficient production of photosynthate throughout the growth stages of under storey crops. The analyzed results showed that the RDF application gave greatest yield (corm weight per plant, number of cormel per plant, cormel diameter, fresh & dry weight). The fresh yield of colocasia obtained from eucalyptus-based agroforestry system with use of fertilizer is 118.66 qha-1 and without fertilizer 103.12 qha-1 which reduced, by 12.06 % with statistically significant variation. In case of variety fresh yield Indira Arbi-I (114.286 qha-1) was obtained higher as compared to fresh yield of Arbi CG-II (108.19 qha-1). The height of Eucalyptus tereticornis was 21.58 m ± 2.84 before sowing of colocasia crop which increased by 0.69 m with MAI of 1.06 m while diameter at breast height of Eucalyptus tereticornis was 25.75 cm ± 1.91 before sowing of colocasia crop which increased by 0.67 cm with MAI 1.25 cm of twelve month of growth period.

Keywords

Agroforestry system, Intercropping, Alley cropping, Arbi (Colocasia esculenta), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus tereticornis)

Conclusion

The result revealed that highest yield was obtained 118.66 qha-1 in fertilizer treatment and lowest 104.12 qha–1 in T2 where no fertilizer was used, which was reduced by 12.06% with statistically significant variation. In case of variety Indira Arbi-I produced better yield 114.286 q ha–1 as compare to Arbi-CG-II which produced 108.1qha–1 with non significant variation. The crop registered better growth and yield performance in T1 (RDF) treatment, while variations under established Eucalyptus plantations was found, the cultivation of colocasia as cover crop showed better growth & yield performance, while the farmer can get extra income on harvesting of Eucalyptus. Thus Eucalyptus + Colocasia farming was found beneficial in economical point of view. Overall, in this experiment colocasia crop showed better results for variety Indira Arbi-I thus it can be acceptable for cultivation as cover crop under AFS to generate Income.

References

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How to cite this article

Piyusha Yadav, Sarita Bodalkar, Priyanka Kashyap, Dayanand Sai Painkra and Jaymangal Tirkey (2023). Performance of Arbi (Colocasia esculenta) under Eucalyptus tereticornis-based Agroforestry System in Plains of Chhattisgarh. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(8a): 451-455.