Sustainable Kharif Season Cropping System: A Grewia optiva based Agroforestry Approach with Optimized Tree Spacing and nutrient Management for Cereals and Pulses

Author: Uday Kumar Lodh, C.L. Thakur, Vimal Chauhan, Subhash Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Dhirender Kumar and Ankush

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Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine the impact of integrated nutrient management on yield of maize and black gram under three varying tree distances: S1 (8m × 1m), S2 (8m × 2m), and S3 (8m × 3m) in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh during the years 2021-2022 and 2022- 2023. The study was conducted within an existing agroforestry system of G. optiva trees, which were 17 years old. The trees were arranged in rows with three different spacings: 1m, 2m, and 3m apart. The experiment utilized a split-plot design, where cereal crop maize (Zea mays) and pulse crop black gram, (Vigna mungo) were planted as intercrops during the Kharif season. During the two-year study, the crops grown under different spacings were supplemented with the application of eight different integrated nutrient doses, namely: no nutrient doses (T1), recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers-NPK (T2), FYM (T3), vermicompost VC - (T4), FYM+VC+NPK - (T5), 75% FYM + 25% VC - (T6), 50% FYM + 50% VC - (T7), 50% (25% FYM + 25% VC) + 50% NPK - (T8). The study revealed that the S0 spacing level and T5 fertilizer treatment, which combines organic manures with chemical fertilizers, have the highest yield for both crops. In contrast, the S1 spacing level and T1 treatment, where no nutrients were applied, resulted in the lowest yield. Significant differences were also observed in yield parameters over the years.

Keywords

Maize, Black gram, Integrated Nutrient Management, Tree Spacing

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the growth of maize and black gram crops was better in open conditions compared to the agroforestry system. However, it is important to note that the yield of maize and black gram in S3 is on par S0 (open condition) and there is no significant difference between them. In these situations, intercropping cereal and pulse crops under G. optiva trees can improve soil fertility and sustain yield in the long term, as compared to growing single crops in open conditions. The highest yield for both crops was observed in the S0 (open condition) spacing level and T5 (FYM+VC+NPK) fertilizer treatment, which combines organic manures with chemical fertilizers. On the other hand, the S1 (8m × 1m) spacing level and T1 treatment, where no nutrients were applied, resulted in the lowest yield. Additionally, the second year of the study had a significantly higher yield (10.11 q ha-1) compared to the first year (9.69 q ha-1).

References

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How to cite this article

Uday Kumar Lodh, C.L. Thakur, Vimal Chauhan, Subhash Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Dhirender Kumar and Ankush (2024). Sustainable Kharif Season Cropping System: A Grewia optiva based Agroforestry Approach with Optimized Tree Spacing and nutrient Management for Cereals and Pulses. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(2): 20-24.