Effect of fruit trees on crop yield in hill and mountain agro-ecosystems of Garhwal Himalaya

The paper summarizes with phytosociology of fruit tree species and productivity of agricultural crop under existing agri-horticulture (AH) systems in mid hill situation of Garhwal Himalaya between 1000 to 2000 m above sea level during rabi and kharif seasons in the year 2004–2006 on northern and southern aspects. In the northern aspect 5 tree species were recorded in AH system compared to 9 in the southern. In the northern aspect of AH system, apple (Malus domestica) was the dominant tree species followed by citrus (Citrus sinensis) while in southern aspect Prunus armeniaca was found as dominant species. In the agricultural crop the reduction in grain yield under AH system in the northern aspect was 34.11%, while it was 39.58% in the southern aspect. Overall there is reduction in yield of agricultural crop under fruit trees but this reduction is supplemented by fruit production which supports the rural community of this hilly region.