Performance of wheat intercropped under different tree spacings of Poplar (Populus deltoides Marsh) plantation

Abstract

Poplar plantation of clone Udai was planted at a spacing of 5x5m, 5x4m, 6x6m, 6x5m, 6x3m, 6x1.5m and 7 x 5m at Chandain Farm, Bilaspur, Rampur (Uttar Pradesh) during January, 2003 and their effect on productivity of wheat crop was studied under Poplar-wheat based agrisilviculture system during November, 2007 - December, 2008. Poplar trees put significantly greater height and DBH growth at 7x5m spacing in comparison to trees grown at a spacing of 5x5m, 6x3m and 6x1.5m. There were significant differences in mean values for grain yield, harvest index, length of spike, number of sterile spikelets/spike, number of grains/spike and for weight of grains/spike of wheat crop as a result of tree spacing. Wheat crop grown under 6x6m tree spacing had produced maximum grain yield, harvest index, straw yield, number of spikes/m', length of spike, number of fertile spikelets/spike, number of grains/spike, weight of grains/spike and weight of 1000 grains, whereas, wheat under 6 x 1.5 m tree spacing produced maximum number of sterile spikelets/spike when compared with that of other spacings.