Agrisilviculture
Growing trees with arable crops has been practised in India for a very long time. The shifting
cultivation (Jhum), the 'taungya system' and the 'khejri' (Prosopis cineraria) based system
are the important traditional agroforestry systems. Growing of trees in 'cultivated land helps
to improve the environment and increase biomass production. However, depending upon
the crop geometry and the tree species raised, larger variations have been reported. The
intensity of adverse effects generally increased with the age of trees. On the basis of field
experiment, Hazra and Tripathil reported that forage yield was 74% under Azadirachta as
compared to open plot yields (100%) at Jhansi. In another experiment, the reduction in crop
yields due to Azadirachta indica and Eucalyptus hybrid varied from 7-33 and 3-16% in
sorghum and safflower, resepectively.
Growing trees with arable crops has been practised in India for a very long time. The shifting
cultivation (Jhum), the 'taungya system' and the 'khejri' (Prosopis cineraria) based system
are the important traditional agroforestry systems. Growing of trees in 'cultivated land helps
to improve the environment and increase biomass production. However, depending upon
the crop geometry and the tree species raised, larger variations have been reported. The
intensity of adverse effects generally increased with the age of trees. On the basis of field
experiment, Hazra and Tripathil reported that forage yield was 74% under Azadirachta as
compared to open plot yields (100%) at Jhansi. In another experiment, the reduction in crop
yields due to Azadirachta indica and Eucalyptus hybrid varied from 7-33 and 3-16% in
sorghum and safflower, resepectively.
In Tim-fib (timber + fibre) system as described by Ramshe, detailed information on tree
growth as influenced by agave (Agave americana) was reported. It is observed that
irrespective of various spacings among agave and tree species, subabul attained the
maximum height followed by siris and neem. In another agroforestry experiment subabul
attained the maximum height and bole girth followed by eucalyptus, sissoo and neem. Grain
production in crops cultivated along with was not affected in the first year. However, during
the second and third years, in the presence of subabul, the reduction in the grain yield of field
crops varied from 46 to 90 and 66 to 99% respectively. In case of neem, the reduction in
grain yield during the second and third years was only 13 to 33%. In slow growing tree
species viz. sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo) and neem (Azadirachta indica), the reduction in grain
yield under rainfed conditions was lower as compared to the exotic tree species (subabul
and eucalyptus). At pantnagar, agrisilviculture studies with wheat and paddy grown under 10
tree species indicated that wheat yields were better under sissoo and paddy yield under
Azadirach and siris .
growth as influenced by agave (Agave americana) was reported. It is observed that
irrespective of various spacings among agave and tree species, subabul attained the
maximum height followed by siris and neem. In another agroforestry experiment subabul
attained the maximum height and bole girth followed by eucalyptus, sissoo and neem. Grain
production in crops cultivated along with was not affected in the first year. However, during
the second and third years, in the presence of subabul, the reduction in the grain yield of field
crops varied from 46 to 90 and 66 to 99% respectively. In case of neem, the reduction in
grain yield during the second and third years was only 13 to 33%. In slow growing tree
species viz. sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo) and neem (Azadirachta indica), the reduction in grain
yield under rainfed conditions was lower as compared to the exotic tree species (subabul
and eucalyptus). At pantnagar, agrisilviculture studies with wheat and paddy grown under 10
tree species indicated that wheat yields were better under sissoo and paddy yield under
Azadirach and siris .
Under semi-arid conditions of Hyderabad, in a sorghum-pigeonpea intercropping
experiment, the effect of various tree species was evaluated in an agrisilvicultural system.
The grain yield of sorghum was maximum with A. indica (1,248 kg/ha) and the least with A.
nilotica 831 kg/ha).
experiment, the effect of various tree species was evaluated in an agrisilvicultural system.
The grain yield of sorghum was maximum with A. indica (1,248 kg/ha) and the least with A.
nilotica 831 kg/ha).
At the National Research Centre for Agroforestry, Jhansi (V.P.), India, for the last three years
agrisilvicultural studies are in progress with important multi-purpose tree species. Relative
grain yield of chickpea decreased from 85 to 62% and 99 to 60% in sorghum-chickpea and
pigeonpea-chickpea crop rotations, during the second and third years respectively. In the
case of M. azedarach the trend was 91 to 63% and 90 to 66%. An important feature of M.
azedarach was its leaf shedding during the winter season, thereby eliminating the adverse
shade effects.
agrisilvicultural studies are in progress with important multi-purpose tree species. Relative
grain yield of chickpea decreased from 85 to 62% and 99 to 60% in sorghum-chickpea and
pigeonpea-chickpea crop rotations, during the second and third years respectively. In the
case of M. azedarach the trend was 91 to 63% and 90 to 66%. An important feature of M.
azedarach was its leaf shedding during the winter season, thereby eliminating the adverse
shade effects.
Neem tree leaves are lopped continuously for providing fodder. The frequency of lopping is
increased during the summer season when availability of fodder becomes scarce.
Therefore, neem tree can fit in an agroforestry programme. Besides improving the
environment and crop yields, it provides fodder during the lean periods for the arid and
semi-arid conditions. A medium size neem tree yields about 5 kg neem oil per annum. The
leaves are useful in alleviating the copper deficiency of several straws and fodders.
increased during the summer season when availability of fodder becomes scarce.
Therefore, neem tree can fit in an agroforestry programme. Besides improving the
environment and crop yields, it provides fodder during the lean periods for the arid and
semi-arid conditions. A medium size neem tree yields about 5 kg neem oil per annum. The
leaves are useful in alleviating the copper deficiency of several straws and fodders.
