Evaluation of JuJube-buffel Grass Hortipastoral System under Arid Environment

Abstract

Establishment, growth and top feed production of two Jujube species viz. Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. f,) wt. & Am. and Z. rotundifolia. Lamk. were studied in an established pasture af Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris Linn,) Maximum mortality i e. 805% in Z. nummularia and 60 4% in Z. rotundifolia was recorded in the first year of the establishment. After five years of the establishment. growth of the jujube species was more than two times and pala (jujube dry leaves) and bushwood production more than six times in control (no pasture) plots as . compared to established pasture plots of Buffel grass. Thus, growth of jujube species was severely affected in the established Buffel grass pasture. Results of the seven years study did not reveal significant differences in the pasture yield in the treatments with and without jujube introduction. Significant yearly differences were, however, observed in the pasture production.