COMPONENT INTERACTIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE PRODUCTION OF APPLE BASED AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM IN WET TEMPERATE ZONE OF HIMACHAL HIMALAYAS
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2009
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Abstract
Abstract To meet the diverse needs of both rural and urban populations, fruit tree based agroforestry systems are widely practiced by farmers in the wet temperate region of Himachal Pradesh, India. Apple is the principal fruit crop and many orchards in the region are intercropped with cereals, pulses and vegetables. However, the positive/negative influences arising out of the component interactions on the production of such systems have not been probed scientifically in the past. Hence, field study was conducted on “Component interactions and their influence on the production of apple based agroforestry system in wet temperate zone of Himachal Himalayas” during 2007-08 and 2008-09 with the following objectives: 1. Study the influence of intercrops on apple fruit yield; 2.Determine the soil and plant nutrient status of the system components; 3. Assess microbial status of the AH system. The experimental site is located at 31.85oN and 77.08oE with an altitude of 1600 masl called Baragran village which falls in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment involved five agroforestry system units viz S1 (Apple + Wheat - Tomato), S2 (Apple + Pea - Tomato), S3 (Apple + Wheat – Field bean), S4 (Apple alone) and S5 (annual crop controls). Influence of apple trees on growth and yield of annual crops which were cultivated in system units S1, S2 and S3 was studied at three distances viz 1m, 2m and 3m from the tree base, besides system unit S5 i.e. annual crop control. In all, there were 14 treatment combinations including two open controls comprising annual crops, only. The experiment was laid out using systematic randomised block design. Observations were recorded on growth and yield of annual intercrops; fruit yield of apple; microclimatic changes around the apple tree; soil physico-chemical attributes; soil microbial population and leaf nutrient concentration of the system components. Financial returns from the system were also worked out. The yield parameters of wheat and field bean viz. grain yield, thousand grain weight, biological yield and harvest index were higher at the open control than under intercropping. Number of pea pod per plant was higher under the apple tree, however, the harvest index was higher in the open control. Tomato had significantly higher plant height, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant under the apple canopy than in the open control. There was no significant difference in apple canopy spread between intercropped and uncropped trees, however, fruit yield was significantly higher in the pure apple. Soil moisture was limiting in the rabi season mainly at germination and grain filling stage of wheat. Under apple canopy, relative illumination was significantly reduced starting from anthesis of wheat. It had adverse effect on grain yield of wheat in the rabi and later on field bean in the kharif season. Soil available NPK showed positive net gains under intercropping than uncropped apple orchard. Among soil micronutrients iron was significantly lower under intercropping. Soil pH was acidic whereas EC was in suitable range for the growth of all types of crops. Soil microbial population was higher in the rabi than kharif season in the system units. Leaf nutrient concentration of all the components of the system were in sufficient to high range. The highest monetary returns were achieved from the intercropping of apple with annuals in the order: Tomato > Pea > Field bean. From the study it was concluded that apple tree growth was not affected by intercropping, however, its yield was reduced significantly in Apple+Pea-Tomato system unit. The soil nutrient status was enhanced by intercropping through fertilizer applications to annual crops compared to the sole apple system. Microbial population proliferated high in the rabi season indicating positive soil health of the system. The study proved that tomato and pea can be successfully grown in association with apple and the system can earn Rs 1577489.08 and 1330199/ha, respectively which is equivalent to US$ 33707 and 28423/ha of net returns annuall
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biological phenomena, diseases, bacteria, planting, fruits, tridax procumbens, animal husbandry, extraction, public sector, area, Apples,wet temperate Region of Himachal Pradesh, India