Effect of fruit trees on the yield of wheat varieties in upland ecosystem

Abstract

Abstract : A study was conducted in the four years old orchards of Department of Agroforestry and Environment, BSMRAU, Gazipur during November to March at two consecutive cropping seasons of 2009- 2010 and 2010-2011 to know the effect of Carissa carandas, Olea europaea, Psidium guajava and Mangifera indica on the yield of three wheat varieties; Shatabdi (BARI Gam 21), Bijoy (BARI Gam 23) and Prodip (BARI Gam 24). Data on grain yield for each variety under each tree species at four orientations (East, West, North and South) and control (no trees) were collected. Results indicated that the highest wheat yield (222.6 g nr2) was recorded in open field followed by C. carandas, M. indica, P. guajava and O. europaea. Grain yield at west orientation under C. carandas (220.2 g nr2) and M. indica (198.1 g m'2) were statistically similar to that of control plot (222.6 g nr2), while yield of other orientations under each fruit trees as well as open field were significantly different. Among three varieties of wheat Prodip performed the best followed by Bijoy. Shatabdi showed the poorest performance. The combined effect of trees and varieties indicated that Shatabdi was affected severely over other varieties; and its yield reduction over control was 6.1, 31.1, 45.8 and 63.8 % under C. carandas, M. indica, P. guajava and O. europaea, respectively. Prodip was affected moderately and yield reduction was 6.4 - 49.3% while Bijoy was affected the minimum and yield reduction was 5.3 - 36.3% by different tree species. Under C. carandas and M. indica higher yield was recorded in Prodip followed by Bijoy. But, under P. guajava and O. europaea higher yield was recorded in Bijoy. The results revealed that in moderate shade of C. carandas and M. indica Prodip was more suitable, while Bijoy showed more yielding ability than Prodip in the heaviest shade of P. guajava and O. europaea. Key words : Fruit trees, wheat varieties, grain yield, upland ecosystem