Evaluation of Growth and Soil Fertility in <I>Dalbergia sissoo-Zea mays</I> (Silvi-Agri) Agroforestry System

Abstract

The field experiment on Agri-Silviculture agroforestry system with three plant geometries and two intercrop spacing (60 cm and 120 cm) tree to crop line was conducted in the on-station research farm at Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur (M.P.) during 2008-2009. Soil properties and growth parameters of Dalbergia sissoo with intercrop of Zea mays were evaluated. The soil pH was found slightly alkaline and Electrical Conductivity (E.C.) value showed noticeable increase. The organic carbon, available nutrients (Nitrogen and Potassium) and exchangeable cations (Magnesiumand Calcium) were found medium where available phosphorus found very low in all spacing. The growth parameter of Dalbergia sissoo shows a regular increase both in height and collar diameter along with maize crop in all the spacings. The maximum increase in height (22.56 cm) and collar diameter (0.628 cm) wadobserved in spacing 6m × 6m and 60cm crop line spacing with regard to initial height and collar diameter. The tree distance of 5m × 5m with 60cm crop line spacing produced maximum yield of maize crop in Dalbergia sissoo-Zea mays (Agri-Silvi) agroforestry system. This Dalbergia sissoo-Zea mays (Agri-Silvi) agroforestry system can be suggested for improving the soil fertility and conserving soil moisture content thereby enhancing the soil productivity along with growth of tree species.