A note on evaluation of different agri-horti systems in water sheds for Eastern Ghat high land zone of Orissa.
Mishra P. J., Swain S. C.
Author Affiliation: RRTS, Semiliguda, India.
Orissa Journal of Horticulture 29 : 112-114
Abstract : A study was conducted in Ganjam, Orissa, India, to evaluate suitable intercrops for different fruit orchards in watershed areas. A total of 12 treatment combinations of 3 fruit trees (mango, cashew and ber [Ziziphus mauritiana]) and 3 intercrops, namely groundnut, arhar [Cajanus cajan] and ragi [Eleusine coracana] with fallow during 1993-94, and black gram, maize and ragi with fallow during 1994-95, were studied. Effects of intercrops on growth of the fruit crops were recorded. During the first year, groundnut resulted in the highest growth rate in respect of plant height and girth in mango, cashew and ber. Mango in combination with groundnut intercrop had the highest net return (Rs 6000/ha). The results indicate that pulse crops, i.e. arhar and black gram, could be profitably grown as intercrops in fruit orchards during the pre-bearing stage in this region.