PERFORMANCE OF CANE AND EGGPLANT IN MULTISTORIED AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM
Date
2007-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
HAJEE MOHAMMAD DANESH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY, DINAJPUR.
Abstract
Two field experiments were conducted at the Agroforestry Farm,
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur
during February 2006 to March 2007 to examine the performance of four
cane species and one eggplant variety (Kajla) under different
multipurpose trees as the middle and the lower storey crops in
multistoried agroforestry system. The treatments were three tree species
viz. Mehogony, Deshi neem and Eucalyptus, which were used as the
upper storey. There was also a control (Open field) treatment. Four cane
species namely Bhudum beth, Udum beth, Jali beth and Golla beth were
used as the middle storey non-woody perennial and eggplant was used as
the lower storey crop. Two separated experiments were conducted for the
study. One experiment was laid out in the single factor Randomized
Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications for eggplant,
another one was two factorial Randomized Complete Block Design
(RCBD) with three replications for cane species. The aim of the
experiments was to study the growth performances and selection of
potential cane species and also to assess the morphological behaviors and
fruit yield of eggplant in the said multistoried agroforestry systems.
Description
Cane is mostly trailing or climbing spiny-palm with characteristic
scaly fruits and classified under the Lepidocaryoid major group (Moore,
1973) of the palm family Aracaceae (Palmae). It is an integral part of the
tropical forest ecosystem. There are 14 genera of canes in the world
comprising about 600 species (Dransfield, 1981). The species is a very
important source of livelihood for the economically and socially weaker
sections of the community. The plant is used as raw material for variety
of products of handicraft and small cottage industries, having increasing
demand in national and international markets. The climber is mainly used
for making ropes, furniture frames, walking sticks, polo sticks, umbrella
handles, baskets, sports goods, mat making, wicker work, for stuffing and
packing etc. Apart from conventional uses, cane has beneficial medicinal
uses as well (Bhatt, 1992).
Keywords
Concepts of multistoried cropping in agroforestry system, Benefits of multistoried cropping in agroforestry system, Effect of shade on plant growth in multistoried agroforestry system