Vol. 9, Issue 10 (2020)

Author(s):
Uday Bhanu Pratap and KS Pant

Abstract:
An agroforestry experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of tree spacing and various combinations of organic manures on the performance of okra under 13-year-old Melia composita plantation with three spacing viz., S₁ (8m × 5m), S₂ (8m × 4m), and S₀ (sole crop) at the experimental farm of College of Forestry, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni (Solan), during the year 2019. The treatment combinations of organic inputs were as; T₁: 100% General recommended dose of fertilizer (NPK), T₂: 50% Rec. DN through FYM + 50% Rec. DN through VC, T₃: 50% Rec. DN through FYM + 50% Rec. DN through GM, T₄: 50% Rec. DN through VC + 50% Rec. DN through GM, T₅: 50% Rec. DN through FYM + 50% Rec. DN through VC + Jeevamrut two times (15 and 30 DAS @ 500 L ha^-1), T₆: 50% Rec. DN through FYM + 50% Rec. DN through GM +Jeevamrut two times (15 and 30 DAS @ 500 L ha^-1), and T₇: 50% Rec. DN through VC + 50% Rec. DN through GM + Jeevamrut two times (15 and 30 DAS @ 500 L ha^-1). T₈: 1/3rd Rec. DN through FYM +1/3rd Rec. DN through Goat manure +1/3rd Rec. DN through VC +Jeevamrut two times (15 and 30 DAS @ 500 L ha^-1). The results revealed that the okra crop (var. P-8), intercropped with M. composita, reported lower growth parameters as well lower yield as compared to the sole cropping system. On the other hand, irrespective of spacing, different combinations of organic manures showed that the application of 50% Rec. DN through VC + 50% Rec. DN through GM + Jeevamrut was the best combination for the growth and yield of okra. The economic analysis revealed that the net returns (Rs. 177672 ha^-1) were higher under wider spacing (8m × 5m) of M. composita as compared to the sole cropping system. Hence, wider spacing (8m × 5m) of M. composita can be suggested for intercropping of okra under M. composita based Agroforestry system.