Evaluation of mango based agroforestry is an ideal model for sustainable agriculture in red & laterite soil.
Dhara P. K., Babloo Sharma
Author Affiliation: All India Coordinated Research Project on Agroforestry, Regional Research Station, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur - 721 507, India.
Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology 9 : 265-272
Abstract : Crop productivity on red and lateritic soil is low due to poor management of lands and is not able to sustain arable crops. Again, monocropping neither provides gainful employment opportunity nor generates sufficient income to meet the family expenses. Fruit base agroforestry may be considered as alternative landuse system for these areas. To find out suitable agroforestry model, field experimental was conducted at Regional Research Station (red and laterite zone), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Jhargram, West Bengal, India. The fruit plants were planted at a spacing of 10 m × 10 m and Eucalyptus tereticornis were planted within the fruit plants and 5 m spacing in between two mango rows and at boundary of the field as shelterbelt. The crops viz., Pigeon pea, Black gram, Bottle gourd, Lady's finger and Maize were cultivated during kharif and mustard in rabi season. Experimental results revealed that all the growth characters of E. tereticornis and production of mango were at higher side under agroforestry system as compare to silvi species and fruit tree alone. The maximum gross income was recorded during 5th year when Lady's finger (kharif) cultivated as intercropped (Rs. 1.864 lakh ha-1 year-1) closely followed by Bottle gourd (Rs. 1.666 lakh ha-1 year-1). Fruit based agroforestry system is not only increased profitability but also build up the soil health (increase soil OC, pH and available N, P, K). Studies on soil fertility revealed the improvement of soil health were increased under all Fruit based Agroforestry system and maximum improvement was under intercropped with pigeon pea and black gram.