2024, Vol. 7, Issue 6, Part B

The current study was aimed to examine the growth, biomass and productivity of Brassica campestris L. grown in a traditional agro forestry system in the district Solan of Himachal Pradesh. A traditional agro-forestry system includes trees as well as crops and vegetables. Toona ciliata, Bauhinia variegata and Grewia optiva were among the tree species present. Plant height, crop density, number of leaves, number of silique, number of grains, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index were investigated during both the years of study. Average plant height, number of leaves, and number of grains ranged from 35.03 to 38.53 cm, 37.32 to 43.13 cm, and 265.52 to 285.46, respectively. Sole crop (control) had the highest grain yield (13.81 Mg/ha), straw yield (9.04 Mg/ha) and highest harvest index (62.48%) during first year of study. Site S3 had the highest grain (15.82 Mg/ha) and straw (9.44 Mg/ha) yields in the second year while Site S1 has the highest harvest index (62.95%). The presence of trees clearly influenced the amount of grains per plant, as it reduced when compared to the sole crop in the first year. Biomass varied from 8.29 to 11.97 Mg/ha, 18.42 to 24.88 Mg/ha, 4.31 to 5.16 Mg/ha and 8.43 to 9.16 Mg/ha in leaf, shoot, root and silique, respectively, during two years of study. The examined control site and the other four sites had statistically significant biomass differences. Growth parameters, grain yield and straw yield varied with distance from the tree base. Further the lower crop yield and harvest index of crop under tree can be due to the shade effects as well as competition of roots for moisture and nutrients. It could be managed by the regular pruning of branches of trees present in the existing agroforestry systems in hilly areas that has multiple benefits to the rural community.