EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AND TREE SPACING ON WHEAT-MAIZE CROPPING SYSTEM UNDER POPLAR BASED AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM
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Date
2018-01
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Effect of integrated nutrient management and tree spacing on
wheat-maize cropping system under poplar based agroforestry system” was carried out at the experimental
farm of Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry,
Nauni, Solan (H.P.) for two consecutive years from May, 2015 to May, 2017. The experiment was designed
with RBD factorial to analyse the impact of poplar tree spacing viz., S1 (6m × 4m), S2(4m × 4m) and S3 (control
without poplar trees) and six fertilizer doses viz., T1 (RDF), T2 (FYM on N equivalent ratio), T3 (VC on N
equivalent ratio), T4 (75% FYM and 25% VC on N equivalent ratio), T5 (50%FYM and 50% VC on N
equivalent ratio) and T6 (50% (25%FYM + 25% VC) + 50% chemical fertilizers) on growth and yield
performance of maize and wheat under poplar based agroforestry system. The study revealed that both poplar
spacing and integrated nutrient management had a significant effect on growth and yield parameters of wheat as
well as maize crop. Among different doses of fertilizers, T6 (50% (25% FYM + 25% VC) + 50% chemical
fertilizer) reported maximum plant height (224.05 cm), cob length (13.94 cm), 1000 grain weight (258.61 g),
grain yield (21.24 q ha-1), straw yield (67.72 q ha-1) and harvest index (24.34%) of maize crop. Similarly, growth
parameters of wheat crop viz., plant height (87.15 cm), spike length (6.52 cm), 1000 grain weight (41.17 g),
grain yield (28.78 q ha-1) and straw yield (48.67 q ha-1) were observed higher at T6 and showed its superiority
over other fertilizer treatments. Growth and yield parameters of wheat and maize were also found to be higher in
open condition as compared to beneath tree canopy. Among different tree spacings, S1 (6m × 4m) recorded
36.80 % and 18.76 % reduction of maize and wheat yield, respectively, whereas, it was recorded 43.70 % and
27.70 % in spacing S2 (4m × 4m) as compared to open condition i.e. without poplar trees. Soil physico-chemical
and biological properties improved under agroforestry system as compare to open (tree less area). The
availability of nutrients was high where, applied with organic manures in agroforestry system as well as in sole
crop. The benefit cost ratio of growing field crops with poplar ranged from 0.68 to 3.72 whereas, it was 0.28 to
1.30 for sole condition. From the study, it is concluded that integrating maize and wheat crops with Populus
deltoides offers an excellent opportunity for diversification and high income generating than the monoculture.
Treatment T2 (FYM on N equivalent ratio) is suggested as cost effective nutrient module for getting direct and
indirect benefits from maize-wheat cropping system under poplar based agroforestry system on sustainable
bases with good soil health.
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