Performance of Poplar (Populus deltoides) Based Agroforestry System Using Aromatic Crops

Abstract

Agroforestry experiment was conducted at CIMAP, field station, Pantnagar, Udhamsingh Nagar, U.P, during 1990 to 1994 on performance of aromatic crops viz. lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), citronella java (C. wintrianus), palmarosa (C. mertinii) and Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis) for five consecutive years in poplar (Populus deltoides ) plantation. It has been observed that inter-cropping of aromatic crops with poplar increased diameter (dbh) and height of the trees as compared to sole plantation. Growing aromatic species as intercrops with poplar has made it possible to produce a very high level of biomass with a higher economic returns. In general, herb and oil yield from sole crop was higher in comparison to the inter-cropped one. Significant reduction in herb and oil yield started after third year in case of citronella java, palmarosa and Japanese mint, while that of lemongrass yield decreased slightly after fourth year of crop cycle. Performance of lemongrass was observed to the best with respect to sustained herb and oil yield during entire growth period. Average net returns were received of Rs. 25,690/ha/yr from sole plantation of trees and Rs. 43,590/ha/yr from lemongrass, Rs 39,670/ha/yr from palmarosa and Rs. 36,370/ha/yr from Japanese mint using poplar based agroforestry system in a period of five years.