Effect of Vermicompost on Growth and Yield of Sfew'a rebaudiana Bert. Under Plum Based Agroforestry System in Mid hill Zone of Himachal Pradesh

摘要

An experimental trial comprising of seven treatments and a control i.e., plum + Sfewa rebaudiana + recommended dose ot npk and FYM, Plum + Sfewa rebaudiana + 75% recommended dose and 25% vermicompost, Plum + Stevia rebaudiana + 60% recommended dose and 40% vermicompost, Plum + Sfewa rebaudiana + 45% recommended dose and 55% vermicompost, Plum + Sfewa rebaudiana + 30% recommended dose and 70% vermicompost, Plum + Sfewa rebaudiana + 100% FYM only, Plum + Sfewa rebaudiana +100% vermicompost only and control; Stevia rebaudiana + recommended dose of NPK and FYM was carried out to study its effect on growth and yield parameters of Sfewa rebaudiana Bert., soil physio-chemical properties and bio-economical appraisal of the system. Sfewa rebaudiana achievedhigher values for most of the growth and yield parameters viz., plant height (20.97 cm), number of leaves plant"1 (70.37), LAI (2.24), total fresh weight (61.57 q ha'1) values under plum + Sfewa rebaudiana + 75% recommended dose and 25% vermicompost. Plum tree had a positive effect on growth and yield performance of Sfewa rebaudiana Bert., which were found healthier and better thriving underneath plum canopy than in open conditions. Soil pH, bulk density, organic carbon, available N, P and K in the surface as well as subsurface soils were found to be significantly effected by different doses of organic manures and chemical fertilizers. The bio-economics of this system revealed that the total net return was higher in agroforestry than sole cropping. From the present investigation, it can be concluded that Sfewa rebaudiana can be grown under plum based agroforestry system successfully for better economic returns.