Differential responses of arable crops with gamhar (Gmelina arborea) and mango (Mangifera indica) based agroforestry system in red and lateritic soils of West Bengal, India

In order to identify the appropriate land use system towards enhancing productivity of marginal lands under rain fed conditions, an effort was made to develop agrofoerstry system integrating the arable crops, fruit trees and silvi components. The study involves with Gamhar (Gmelina arborea) and Mango (Mangifera indica) as silvi and fruit trees respectively intercropped with five arable crops namely Pigeon pea, Ground nut, Okra, Bottle gourd and Maize in kharif and Mustard alone in rabi season. Data on growth and yield parameters of the tree species were recorded. Analysis of soil pH, Organic carbon, availability of Nitrogen(N), Phosphorous(P) and Pottasium(K) were made during the crop growing period. The economic return from each of the treatments were also determined. The results reveal that among the various intercrops Pigeon pea was found most suitable in respect of soil fertility improvement and Okra for the best economic return.