Early growth performance of Aonla based agroforestry in Eastern U. P.

Abstract

This study is outcome of performance of varieties of Aonla with intercropping of mustard in horti-agri system. Agroforestry models were established with Aonla var. NA- 6 (Amrit), NA- 7 (Neelam) and NA- 10 (Balwant) and Chakaiya in Randomized Block Design at 8 x 8 m with 11 treatments at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ballia. The soil at the site is alkaline in nature with 8.30 pH , medium Phosphorus , low nitrogen & potassium and low organic carbon. It was found that change in girth at breast height was highest (3.09 and 5.46 cm) for T3 (NA - 10 + Mustard) followed by other varieties viz. T5 (NA-7 + Mustard) 2.75 and 5.07 cm, T7 (Chakaiya + Mustard) 2.63 and 4.90 cm. The least increment in girth was 2.16 and 3.09 cm for T10 (Desi/Biju Aonla) respectively. The increment in height after one & two years depicts that treatment T3 (NA-10 + Mustard) are performing superior (0.52 and 1.17 m) followed by T5 (NA-7 + Mustard) with 0.50 and 1.73m and T7 (Chakaiya + Mustard) with 0.34 and 1.56 m whereas T10 (Desi/Biju Aonla) has lowest values (0.25 and 0.93 m). On the basis of preliminary growth data of increment in height and girth/Cc data trends, T3 (NA-10 + Mustard) is performing superior over others after two year of planting. The evaluation of intercrops showed that higher returns were obtained when the intercrops were grown with Aonla compared to sole crops. The intercropping of Mustard in Aonla based agroforestry revealed that highest (13.51 qt /ha) crop yield was recorded with T3 (NA-10+ Mustard) variety followed by almost similar values with other varieties whereas the sole mustard crop gave lowest yield with 11.33 qt/ha.