Performance of wheat and mustard under Eucalyptus tereticornis based agrisilviculture system

Abstract

Two crops namely wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. WH542 and Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cv. RH-30 were sown in the inter spaces of two and half years old plantation of Eucalyptus tereticornis planted at a spacing of 6 x 2m. The height of wheat and mustard was significantly less under agri-silviculture system as compared to sole cropping. The other parameters such as plants per running meter row length (161.7), spike length (7.7 cm), grains per spike (37.7) and test weight (26.7g) were significantly less under Eucalyptus than in sole cropping. In mustard primary branches per plant and seeds per siliqua was less under Eucalyptus than sole cropping. Yield parameters such as secondary branches per plant, siliqua per plant and test weight were also significantly higher in sole cropping. The grain and straw/stover yields of both the crops under Eucalyptus decreased significantly as compared to sole cropping. Grain yield reduction (63.2%) was less in wheat. Net returns from crop grown with Eucalyptus and sole cropping revealed that higher income (Rs 46,620/ ha) was recorded in sole wheat and Rs 1,890/ ha in wheat- Eucalyptus agroforestry system.