Studies on Horti-agricultural System in a Mid Altitude of Meghalaya

Abstract

A field experiment was undertaken in a six-year-old plantation of guava (Psidum guajava cv. Allahabad safeda), Assam lemon (Citrus lemon cv. Local) and Peach (Prunus persica cv. TA 170) during 2002 and 2003, on acid alfisol under rainfed condition at Research Farm, Umiam, Meghalaya, India. The experiment was designed to study the performance of upland rice varieties as intercrop in the existing fruit plantation and to study the overall productivity of agri-horticulture agroforestry systems (AFS). Three upland rice varieties RCPL-1-24, RCPL-1-28 and RCPL-1-29 were taken with these fruit trees. Tree growth, crop yield and cost benefit analysis of guava, Assam lemon and peach were analyzed. The maximum height, collar diameter and crown spread were recorded for peach, followed by guava and Assam lemon. Average grain yield and total yield of all the three rice varieties were recorded higher in control plots (without tree) than in understorey plots of the fruit trees. On an average, RCPL-1-29 exhibited maximum grain yield as well as total biomass in association of fruit trees compared to other rice varieties. Weed ground cover was highest in control plots compared to understory plots. On an average, 8.94-24.97% reduction was noticed for light intensity in understorey of fruit trees compared to control plots. Fruit yields of 64.44, 27.61 and 58.11 q/ha were recorded for peach, Assam lemon and guava, respectively.

The average monetary input per hectare was Rs. 28,240, Rs. 24,650, Rs. 25,440 and Rs. 21,210 to peach, Assam lemon, guava and control plots, respectively. On an average, maximum net monetary benefit per hectare was recorded from peach intercropped with rice (Rs. 48,044), followed by guava (Rs. 27,887) and Assam lemon (Rs. 20, 99), irrespective of rice varieties. Thus, it has been observed that peach, guava and Assam lemon exhibited, 5.09, 2.95 and 2.22 fold higher net return respectively, compared to control. Therefore, peach based agrihorticulture agroforestry system (AFS) was found promising for rainfed agricultural condition in north eastern region of India in general and Meghalaya in particular. The implications of the results are discussed in the context of suitability and sustainability of the fruit tree species and their importance in AFS.