Biomass and economic viability of wheat- Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm based agroforestry system in Central India

Abstract

The study was conducted during 2016-17 and 2017-18 at Village- Majitha, Block- Sahpura, District-Jabalpur to find out the economic viability of the Wheat- Eucalyptus tereticornis based Agroforestry system with different weed control treatment. The economic analysis on the basis of two year data revealed that the higher gross monetary return (153086 and 152318 Rs ha-1 yr-1) and net monetary return (122819 and 124165 Rs ha-1 yr-1) recorded under hand weeding over other weed control treatment and weedy check (GMR: 137882 and 133674 Rs ha-1 yr-1; NMR: 108615 and 106521 Rs ha-1 yr-1 during 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively). Hand weeding registered (11.56 and 14.21 %) higher net monetary return over weedy check during both the year. The maximum benefit cost ratio (4.06 and 4.41) recorded under hand weeding due to higher grain yield, Straw yield and higher biomass of tree over rest of the weed control treatment during both the year. The profitability was lowest under weedy check (3.71 and 3.92) due to lower grain yield on account of higher crop weed competition. The agroforestry system provide higher net monetary return and B:C ratio than growing of wheat alone and tree alone.