Growth performance of silvi-horti-agricultural Systems under rainfed plateau conditions of Jharkhand

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Research Centre, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India during 2018-2019. It was undertaken in 4-year-old, already established silvi-horticultural system. The study was laid out in split plot design. Rice and Ragi were planted in main plot whereas, subplot consisted three different silvi-horticultural systems (Mango + mahogany + aonla, Mango + mahogany + peach and Mango + mahogany + no filler). Results revealed that the growth of filler crops showed significant effect on the silvi-horti-agricultural system. The growth performance of the main crop, filler crop and inter crops varied from one system to another under silvi-horti-agricultural system. The growth parameters viz. height, girth at breast height and crown spread of forest trees were significantly higher under silvi-horti-agricutural system than sole forest plantations. Height of intercrops was significantly higher in the fallow system whereas the plant density per m2 and number of tillers per m2 after 30, 60 and 90 DAS was observed significantly higher under silvi-horti-agricultural systems. Among the different silvi-horti-agricultural system, mango + mahogany + peach system performed best in terms of the growth performance of intercrops.