Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS FOR FODDER PRODUCTION UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS

N. Kaushik, R.P.S. Deswal and Suman Malik

Abstract

The present study was planned to evaluate the fodder production of some top-feed tree species associated with different fodder crop combinations under rainfed conditions. The treatments comprised of 14 years old top-feed tree species, namely, Cholophospermum mopane (Mopane), Acacia bivenosa and Hardwikia binnata (Anjan tree) planted at a spacing of 6 x 6 m and five fodder crops viz. pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), pearl millet + cowpea (2:1) pearl millet + clusterbean (2:1). The fodder crops were raised in interspaces of trees during Kharif seasons of 2010 and 2011 under rainfed conditions. Green and dry fodder yield from crops as well as tree species was recorded. Yield of all the fodder crops was higher in the open field as compared to crops grown in the interspaces of trees during the experimentation. Maximum green fodder yield of 201.0 and 205.3 q/ha was recorded from pear lmillet during the year 2010 and 2011 respectively, when raised as sole crop. Clusterbean fodder yield was affected adversely by all the tree species and maximum yield reduction was observed under A. bivenosa. Growth of the tree species in terms height and diameter varied significantly and maximum growth was recorded in H. binnata.