Evaluation of Bamboo-based Agroforestry System under Rainfed Upland Situation

摘要

The present study was initiated during September 2007 under rainfed upland ecosystem at Regional Research Station (Red & Laterite Zone), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur to develop and standardize bamboo based agroforestry system suitable for red and laterite zone of West Bengal. Culm cuttings of two bamboo species, namely Bambusa tulda and Bambusa balcooa were planted on 4 October, 2007 and 20 May 2008 respectively. Each bamboo species was planted under two spacing,viz 10 m x10 m (100 clumps/ha) and 12 m x10 m (84 clumps/ha). The. experiments were laid out in a 3 factor factorial RCBD with 3 factors as situation, species and spacing replicated thrice. Each plot contained 12 clumps (3 x 4, rows x clumps) and altogether 12 such plots were maintained in the experiment. Arable crops like paddy, groundnut, pigeon pea, cowpea, lady's finger, bottle gourd, turmeric, colocasia and elephant foot yam were cultivated xoith recommended package of practices during rainy (kharif) season of 2008. Results indicated that survival rate of both the bamboo species was 100%. Upon comparison between sole andintercropping of bamboo, it was found that growth attributes of bamboo plants irrespective of species and spacing were significantly higher when grown with intercrops than sole plantation (without intercrops). Yield of intercrops was slightly higher in sole cropping than intercropping system. Differences ofyieldin intercrops under intercropping system (within bamboo plantation) were negligible. But yield of all intercrops was higher at wider spacing (12 m x 10 m) as compared to closer spacing (10 m x 10 m).