Fruit crop based agro-forestry systems for watersheds of Eastern India.
Vishal Nath, Bikash Das, Yadava M. S., Sikka A. K., Singh R. V.
Author Affiliation: Horticulture and Agro-forestry Research Programme, Plandu, Ranchi- 834 010, India.
Journal of Research, Birsa Agricultural University 18 : 59-68
Abstract : Experiments were conducted during 1998 in Ranchi, Bihar, India, to standardize the suitable fruit-based cropping system for rainfed uplands in the watersheds under sub-humid plateau regions of Eastern India. Mango cv. Langra, litchi cv. Swarna Roopa and aonla cv. Kanchan were planted as main crop at a spacing of 10 m apart. Among filler plants, short stature fruit species (guava and lime) and fast growing timber species (gamhar (Gmelina arborea)) were planted at 5 m apart between and within the rows of main plants after establishment. Various intercrop combinations including leguminous vegetables or crops suitable for the region (cowpea, French bean, horse gram, black gram and groundnut), suitable grass species (Stylosanthes hamata, dinanath grass), local staple food species (upland paddy, finger millet), and hardy oil seed crop (niger) in different combinations were taken in the available interspace in each model. Fruit crop-based multi-storied AF models were the most effective models to minimize the risk of sole cropping in upland watersheds of Eastern India. In the locations having comparatively better soil conditions and facilities of supplemental irrigation (uplands near the water bodies) in the watersheds, litchi based multi-storied models with French bean, cowpea and horse gram as intercrop along with guava as filler crop is suggested. In the locations having no supplemental irrigation and sloppy topography, mango + gamhar + Stylosanthes model would be more effective. In the comparatively flat upland watersheds, mango + guava + French bean/rice can be the most suitable options. On the highest part of watersheds having gravelly land or coarse soil formations, aonla-based multi-storied system can be most effective. Special pitting for main and filler plants (removal of stones or pebbles and filling with good soil) and provision of short duration leguminous intercrop such as black gram and/or grass species such as dinanath grass and finger millet can be suitable options for improving the livelihood of the people.