Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

Supplement Issue, Dec. 2014; Page No.(7-13)

AGRI-SILVI-FRUIT-VEGETABLE BASED AGRO-PRODUCTION SYSTEM – SUITABLE MODELS FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND USE AND CONSERVATION IN RED-LATERITE AND SEMI-ARID TRACKS

R. Das, P.K. Dhara , A.R. Mandal and S.K. Dutta Ray

Abstract

Experiments were conducted at Regional Research Station (Red & Laterite Zone), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Jhargram, West Bengal to find out suitable components for a agri-silvi-fruit-vegetable based agro-production model with production potential on marginal/degraded lands under rain-fed semiarid conditions. Plots with soil depth 1-1.25 m, were planted with fruit crop mango (Mangifera indica) and Silvi species gamhar (Gmelina arborea) established on staggered contour trenches for water conservation. The fruit plants were planted at a spacing of 10m × 10m (100 plants/ha) and Gmelina arborea were planted within the two fruit plants (300 tree/ha). Five agronomic and vegetable crops viz. Pigeon pea, Groundnut, Okra, Bottle gourd and Maize were cultivated during kharif and mustard in rabi season of 2011-12 and 2012- 13 to identify a superior model for attaining maximum returns and improving soil fertility. Experimental results revealed that all the growth characters of Gmelina arborea and production of mango were at higher side where the inter crops were cultivated in the interspaces of the tree species as compared to trees and mango alone. The maximum gross income was recorded during 4th year of planting when Okra (kharif) was intercropped with Gmelina arborea + Mango (Rs. 1,39,200/- ha-1year-1) closely followed by Bottle gourd when cultivated in kharif (Rs. 1,28,050/- ha-1year-1). Studies on the soil fertility revealed the improvement of soil health at higher side under all Fruit based Agro forestry system and maximum improvement was under intercropped with pigeon pea.

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