Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology

Aim: To find out suitable mango based agroforestry system.

Design: Randomized block design.

Place and Duration of Study: Field experiment was conducted during 2015 and 2016 at Regional Research Station, Red and Laterite Zone, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Jhargram, West Bengal, India.

Methodology: The experiment involves fruit tree mango and tree species lamboo and three arable crops viz. pigeon pea, maize and lady’s finger. The fruit plant was planted at a spacing of 10m × 10 m (100 plants ha^-1) and lamboo were plated within the two fruit plants (300 treeha^-1).

Results: Yield of mango (450 kg ha^-1) and lamboo (1.96 m³ ha^-1 year^-1) were highest when they are intercropped with pigeon pea followed by maize at the time of end of experiment. The yield of arable crops was highest during the second year when compared to first year. Studies of the soil fertility revealed that the percentage increase in available N (36.46%), P₂O₅ (43.04%) and K₂O (14.25%) as well as organic carbon percentage (27.78%) were observed under all mango based agroforestry system and maximum productivity with better soil health improvement was under intercropped with pigeon pea.

Conclusion: That intercropping of pigeon pea in mango based agroforestry system will improve crop yield as well as soil fertility status.