Performance of lemon grass in poplar plantation of different spacing throughout its rotation

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to standardize plant population of lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus L.) for intercropping in poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr.) plantation and spacing of poplar for getting better productivity of herb. The experiment was conducted under 2 to 6 year-old poplar plantation (2014-18) established at three spacings viz., 8×2.5 m (S1), 7×3 paired at 2.5 m (S2) and 5×3 m (S3). Lemon grass was transplanted at three different spacings viz., 45×45, 45×60 and 60×60 cm under poplar and open conditions. Tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), herb and oil yield of lemon grass was recorded every year. The wider spacing (8×2.5 m) of trees recorded significantly higher tree height (15.77-20.38 m) and DBH (16.00-24.16 cm) than other two spacings from 2nd to 6th year of tree growth. Among tree spacings, maximum yield of lemon grass during different years was observed in S1, followed by S2 and S3. Yield of lemon grass was not significantly influenced by its spacing in later years (4th to 6th years); although the quantum of herb yield was higher in 45×60 cm throughout poplar rotation. The yield of lemon grass was significantly lower in poplar plantation than open. The maximum oil yield was observed in open conditions, followed by S1 and other spacings of poplar. Therefore, poplar at a spacing of 8×2.5 m intercropped with lemon grass (spacing 45×60 cm) enhanced the productivity of both poplar and lemon grass.