An experiment was conducted during 2001–02 to 2004–05 on sandy loam soil to study the effect of pruning intensities on productivity and economics of ber based hortipasture systems under semi-arid rainfed conditions. Pruning of secondary branches of ber at 20 cm length from base recorded significantly higher dry forage (4.26 t/ha) and crude protein yield (319.9 kg/ha) of pasture as compared to pruning at 60 cm length (dry forage yield 3.77 t/ha and crude protein yield 280 kg/ha). However, dry leafy forage yield, fruit yield and fuel wood (4.11, 23.41 and 36.34 kg/tree) were increased significantly when pruning of secondary branches were done at 60 cm length than 20 and 40 cm length. Among pasture combiations, intercropping of guinea grass with Stylosanthes hamata produced significantly higher dry forage (6.34 t/ha) and crude protein yield (455.3 kg/ha) compared to other grass-legume combinations. Dry leafy forage yield and fuel wood production of ber was not significantly influenced by different pasture combinations. However, significantly higher fruit yield (24.91 kg/tree) was recorded under natural pasture than other grass- legume intercropping. Pruning of secondary branches of trees at 40 cm length from base recorded maximum net returns (
Ber, Dinanath grass, guinea grass, pruning, stylosanthes hamata
