College of Forestry, Allahabad Agricultural Deemed University, Allahabad-211007
Agroforestry trees have a multiple role to play in tropical land use systems inclusive of incorporating and woody perennial legumes. Preliminary observations from inter cropping trials at Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University, Forest nursery and Research centre in which Leucaena leucocephala was grown in alley cropping model with Cicer arietinum L.; Pisum sativum L. and Lens culinaris medic have contributed more to production potential than staple crops as fodder. The investigations on growth parameters of Leucaena leucocephala viz. tree height and collar diameter were significant at 60 with due to 50% pruned tree + Crop and vice versa, whereas, the intercrop plant population, number of branches and pods per plant exhibited significant reduction due to allelopathic effect whereas the shade of 50% prunned, Tree + crop in comparable to sole crop exhibited best performances. The investigations concluded that the pruning management practices resulted into increased growth and productivity of inter crops. Further, this kind of alley cropping model also revealed the field consumption of pruned foliage of Leucaena leucocephala as most preferred fodder by cattle, indirectly leading to increase in soil fertility. Future studies should be directed towards exploration and selection of economically and socially acceptable Leucaena leucocephala varieties compatibly with intercrops under appropriate Agro forestry practices.
Forage, Intercropping, Treatments
