Effect of Morus alba Canopy Management on Light Transmission and Performance of Phaseolus mungo and Pisum sativum under Rainfed Agroforestry

Abstract

Different canopy management treatments in 5- year- old Morus alba trees significantly affected growth and yield potential of urd (Phaseolus mungo) and pea (Pisum sativum), both on north as well as south of the tree trunk. Four canopy management treatments i.e 0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent crown removal allowed light transmission in the range of 8-61 per cent of control during August to October, the growing period of two field crops. Growth and yield parameters namely, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of flowers per plant, leaf area, leaf area index, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, size of pod, grain yield and harvest index were found to have maximum magnitude in control (without tree) followed by plants under least shade (75% crown removal). The values decreased with increasing shade (less transmission) in both urd and pea. Better growth and yield was observed on northern aspect than southern aspect. Yield increased with increasing light transmission through tree canopy. The harvest index was maximum in open plots (0.28) and minimum under unmanaged tree (0.23). Harvest index was more in northern direction than southern direction to the tree trunk. Harvest index decreased with decrease in light transmission.