EVALUATION OF GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CROPS IN SILVI-HORTI-AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM UNDER RAINFED PLATEAU CONDITION OF JHARKHAND
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Date
2019
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Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Evaluation of growth performance of crops in
Silvi-Horti-Agricultural system under rainfed plateau condition of Jharkhand” was
carried out at ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Research Centre, Ranchi,
Jharkhand, India during 2018-2019.The present investigation was undertaken in 4 years
old, already established silvi-horticultural system of agro-forestry. The present study was
designed considering the following objectives: 1. To evaluate the growth performance of
the crops in the silvi-horti-agricultural system. 2. To find out the effect of crop
diversification on soil properties in silvi-horti-agricultural system. 3. To evaluate the
economics of the silvi-horti-agricultural system.
The study was laid out in split plot design with four treatments and four
replications under 1.6 hectare of plot size. Results revealed that the growth and
development 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 agri-silvi-horticuture system than sole forest plantations. The maximum available
PAR percentage was observed in fallow/sole crop system in comparison to different
silvi-horti-agricultural systems. Among the different silvi-horti-agricultural system the
minimum incidental solar radiation was observed under mango + mahogany + peach
system. Also there was sufficient availability of light between the main tree crop line and
filler crop line for the intercrops to be grown. 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.
Biological, biomass and rice equivalent yield of intercrops was significantly higher under
silvi-horti-agricultural systems in comparison to the fallow/sole crop system. Among the
different silvi-horti-agricultural system, mango + mahogany + peach system exhibited
the highest yield. The highest value of Rice equivalent yield was recorded in Ragi
(1740.83 Kg/ha).The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carbohydrate
content of the leaf of the agricultural crops viz. rice and ragi was observed higher under
fallow system. Among the different silvi-horti-agricultural system, mango + mahogany +
peach system exhibited the higher carbohydrate and chlorophyll content. The soil
moisture retention value was observed significantly higher under silvi-horti-agricultural
systems in comparison to the fallow system. Among the different silvi-horti-agricultural
system, mango + mahogany + peach system has the highest moisture retention capacity.
The maximum number of fungal colonies and bacterial cells were observed under silvihorti-
agricultural systems in comparison to the fallow/sole crop system. The maximum
value of dehydrogenase activity was observed under silvi-horti-agricultural systems in
comparison to the fallow/sole crop system. Among the different silvi-horti-agricultural
system, mango + mahogany + peach system has the highest value. The maximum value
was recorded in mango + mahogany + peach system (11.25 micro gram TPF 24 hr-1 gm-
1). Electrical conductivity of soil was decreased with increasing soil depth under sole
crops as well as silvi-horti-agricultural system. At surface layer, EC of soil under silvihorti-
agricultural system was observed significantly less than sole crops. Maximum
reduction in EC was recorded in peach based combinations. The soil pH increased with
increasing depth in sole crops but in silvi-horti-agricultural system, these values also
increased but marginally. Silvi-horti-agricultural system showed significantly higher
reduction in pH than sole crops at surface layer (0-30 cm).Organic carbon content in the
soil under silvi-horti-agricultural system was significantly higher than sole crops at
surface layer. The organic carbon content decreased with increasing soil depth. The
available N, P and K and exchangeable Ca and Mg were recorded highest at surface
layer of mango + mahogany + peach system in sole crops. The available N, P and K was
decreased with the increase in depth. The benefit to cost ratio was higher in agri-silvihorticulture
system than sole crops and was found highest in mango + mahogany + peach
system combination among rest of combination in agri-silvi-horticulture system. The
maximum value of BC Ratio was recorded under mango + mahogany + peach + rice
(4.36:1), followed by Mango + Mahogany +Aonla + Peach + Ragi system (4.17:1).
Description
EVALUATION OF GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CROPS IN SILVI-HORTI-AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM UNDER RAINFED PLATEAU CONDITION OF JHARKHAND