Biomass production through subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) in association with mango.
Gill A. S.
Author Affiliation: National Research Centre for Agroforestry, Jhansi (UP) 284 003, India.
Farm Science Journal 14 : 36-37
Abstract : A field experiment was initiated in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India, on a sandy loam soil during 1990-91. Treatments comprised planting grafted saplings of four mango varieties (Amrapali, Mallika, Deshari and Langra). Crops were sown in between the mango trees interspaces during kharif and rabi seasons. Four-month-old saplings of a fast growing multipurpose tree species, commonly known as subabul (Leucaena leucocephala), were planted in between the mango trees with a plant density of 200 plants/ha for biomass (forage and fuelwood) production. Among the 4 varieties of mango, on an average, maximum plant height of subabul was achieved in association with Amrapali though significant variations were only visible during 1992-93 and 1993-94. Highest value of diameter at breast height was achieved with Amrapali variety of mango. Maximum and minimum values of plant canopy were recorded in Amrapali and Langra, respectively. On an average of 4 years, subabul recorded maximum forage yield in association with mango variety Amrapali while minimum forage yield was registered with mango variety Langra. Interestingly, fuel yield was found to be significant during all four years of the study. Maximum biomass production of subabul was obtained with planting subabul in between mango variety Amrapali. Minimum biomass production of subabul was in association with mango variety Langra, on an average. Among the four varieties, Amrapali recorded the lowest growth characters and this favoured better plant growth in the subabul trees as raised in their association resulting in maximum biomass production of subabul in association with Amrapali variety of mango.