Productivity of forage-based farming systems with farm-boundary plantations. of shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) under rainfed condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 1993-94 to 1995-96 at the lndian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi to study the different food-fodder cropping systems and manurial schedules under rainfed conditions. Significantly higher grain and stover yields of sorghum were obtained in sorghum + pigeonpealCenchrus setigerus intercropping system compared with that in sorghum + cowpea intercropping system. Sorghum + cowpea intercropping produced significantly more green fodder and dry-matter yields of fodder crops than sorghum + grass strips plots. Sorghum grain-equivalent yield was more in sorghum + pigeonpea followed by sorghum + cowpea and sorghum + grass strips plots. Among the different manurial schedules, combined application of organic and inorganic sources of plant nutrients produced significantly higher grain and stover yields of sorghum, green fodder and dry- matter yields of fodder crop as well as sorghum grain-equivalent yield compared with 100% through inorganic fertilizers application. The survival of trees under rainfed condition was 84.3% after 20 months of their establishment. The tree attained 103.4 cm height and 1.33 cm collar diameter under rainfed condition.