Growth Performance and Yield of Intercrops in Agri-horti-silvi System in Hill Zone of West Bengal, India

The present investigation was conducted at Dalapchand Science Farm, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kalimpong, West Bengal, which aimed at analyzing the growth performance and yield of selected intercrops under one silvi, Alder (Alnus nepalensis) and two fruit trees, Mandarin and Asian pear (Citrusreticulata Blanco. and Pyrus communis) in agri-horti-silvi system. The experimental site is located at 27.06^o N latitude and 88.47^o E longitudes at an elevation ranging between 979.93 m. to 1257.30 m. above the mean sea level. The experiment was fitted in the randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The fruit saplings were planted at a spacing of 10m × 10m and the silvi seedlings were planted in between the two fruit trees and boundary at 2.5 m spacing during kharif season of 2011. Suitable intercrops viz. maize, rice, french bean, pea and pumpkin during kharif and potato, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard and onion during rabi season of two consecutive years (2013–2015) were grown. The result revealed that the number of plants per m² was higher under sole crop. But, it was found reverse in case of the plant height (cm) and recorded taller plant Sunder intercropping with Alnus nepalensis + Pyrus communis followed by Alnus nepalensis + C. reticulata and in sole crop. Soil organic matter percent at (0-15cm, 15-30cm, 30-60cm) soil depth was found to significantly increase under the agri-horti-silvi situation resulting with a decrease in the soil bulk density (gmcm⁻³) at the end of the study. kharif and rabi intercrops yield (t/ha) were found higher in sole crop. However, in the intercropping situation higher yield were recorded when intercropped with Alnus nepalensis + C. reticulata than Alnus nepalensis + Pyrus communis.