Performance of short duration pulses with African winterthorn (Faidherbia albida) in semi-arid regions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted for 2 years (1995-96) on a red loamy sand soil at Hyderabad to evaluate the
performance of short duration pulses, viz. greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.), blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) and
cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) iritercropped with African winterthorn (Faidherbia albida Del.) trees at 2 densities, viz
625 and 156 plants/ha. The results indicated that seeds yields of greengram and blackgram were higher under low tree
density (156 trees/ha) than that in sole and under high tree density, whereas cowpea seed yield were lower under the trees
at both the densities compared to the sale cropping. The equivalent yield and net monetary returns were higher with
blackgram under low tree density, followed by greengram. Soil fertility improved with trees. The tree diameter at breast
height was better in the lower tree density. The results clearly indicate that short duration legumes can be successfully
intercropped with F. albida at low tree densities.