Influence of modes and source of fertilization on growth of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. and yield of crops under agri-horticulture system

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on farmer's field in transfer of technology area adopted by Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar (Rajasthan) during 2001-02 to 2003 -04 to evaluate the most remunerative cropping sequence in aonla based agri-horticulture system. The results revealed that growth traits and survival per cent of aonla (Emblica officinalis) increased significantly with fertilization. However, maximum (96.72 %) survival percentage was realized with fertilization to both (aonla and crops) as compared to fertilization to aonla (93.80%) alone. Growth attributes viz. plant height, crown diameter and collar diameter and survival percentage of aonla plants after three years were found significantly higher in cow pea-oat cropping sequence over the other cropping sequences. The performance of aonla under agri-horticulture system was found significantly superior with sheep manure application as compared to without sheep manure application. Seed yield of legume crops was affected significantly with the modes and source of fertilization. The maximum yield was recorded in guar (20.18 q ha^-1) followed by cowpea (13.60 q ha^-1) and moth (10.45 q ha^-1) when fertilization was given to both aonla and crops in conjunction with sheep manure @ 5 t ha^-1. The maximum green fodder and dry matter production of oat was recorded when oat was grown with the treatment of fertilization to both i.e. aonla and crops during kharif season as compared to other modes of fertilization. Under different cropping sequences, oat gave higher green as well as dry fodder production when it was succeeded by cowpea as compared to other cropping sequences like moth-oat and guar-oat. Application of sheep manure @ 5 t ha^-1 resulted in 17.73, 14.76 and 12.97% higher green fodder yield over no sheep manure application during the three consecutive years.