Pattern of light interception and yield of finger millet in agroforestry systems under semiarid conditions.
Basavaraju T. B., Pohris H., Rao M. R. G.
Author Affiliation: Zonal Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Tiptur - 572 202, Karnataka, India.
Indian Journal of Forestry 24 : 32-37
Abstract : A study was conducted in Karnataka, India during 1996 to determine the pattern of light interception and yield of finger millet in agroforestry. The trial included 9 treatment combination of 3 fruit three species (jackfruit, mango and tamarind) and 3 spacing levels (8×8, 12×8 and 16×8 m), and one control (no trees). The observation on growth parameters of trees such as tree height, collar diameter and diameter at breast height (DBH) at the age of 6 years were recorded during the course of investigation. Jackfruit recorded significantly greater tree height, collar diameter, crown height and crown width compared to mango and tamarind, while all the parameters except collar diameter were significantly least in mango. Different spacing had no significant effect on any of these growth parameters. Jackfruit intercepted more light compared to mango and tamarind, while mango and tamarind intercepted almost the same amount of light by their canopies. The light intercepted by finger millet was lower under jackfruit compared to mango and tamarind, which intercepted almost the same amount of light. Grain and straw yield of finger millet were significantly higher with mango and tamarind compared to jackfruit. In all the tree species, the reduction in grain and straw yield of finger millet was highest and significant at 0-2 m distance from the tree. The results indicated that growing of finger millet along with trees reduced the yield of finger millet due to reduced ability of light to finger millet crop. The reduction in yield was higher under jack compared to mango and tamarind. Similarly, yield reductions were more with closer spacing of 8×8 compared to wider spacing of 16×8 and 12×8 m.