PERFORMANCE OF STEM AMARANTH DURlNG THE EARLY ESTABLISHMENT PERIOD OF MORINGA PLANTATION

Abstract

A study was conducted to find out the effect of tree plunting distances on growth. yield and yield aunbuting characters of stern amaranth (AmaranlJllls oleraceus) during the early establishment period of Moringa (Moringa ole/faa) plantation. The study comprising of four treatments which were To (open field condinon). T (15 em away from tree base). T~(30 em away from tree base). T, (45 em 3\\3) from tree base). At han CSt.the maximum plan; height (59 ern) and number of le3f(24.75 cm) of stem amaranth were recorded in control condition whereas the least plant height (49 em) and leaf number (19.75) were recorded in TJ treatment. TIle highcs: leaf length (9.60 em) and leaf breadth (5.37 ern), stem girth (5.71 em), stem length (60.66 em). root length (15.118cm). shoot and root fresh weight (74.10 g and 15.62 g), shoot and root dry weight and yield (14 tIl13) were observed in open field condition. The yield of stem nmnramh in association with Moringn saplings was recorded lower compared to control condition. The yield reduction in treatment. TI (12 tlh(l), Tl (10.2 t/ha) and Tl (10.2 tIIm) were 16.6 %. and 26 %, respectively compared to open field condition. Among agroforcsiry treatments. the highest growth, yicld and yield contributing characters wen: found in plants under TI treatment revealed that stem amaranth shared available plant nutrients from thc pits of Moringa cuttings thus showing its potcnrial to be used in Moringa based agroforesrry farming system during the early singe of ..rstablishmcnt in large-scale.