Performance of Cymbopogon cultivarsin Harad Terminalia chebula based agroforestry system

Abstract

newline The present study entitled Performance of Cymbopogon cultivars in Harad (Terminaliachebula)basedagroforestrysystem wasconductedattheSher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu, Chatha over two consecutive years (2022-2023, 2023-2024). The experiment was carried out in a 5-6 yearsoldHarad(Terminaliachebula)agroforestrymodelwithaspacingat6mbetween rows and 4m between trees. Cymbopogon cultivars were grown both as intercrops betweentreerows(plotsofsize6m×4m)andinopenfield(sole)plotsofsimilarsize. The experimental trial was laid out usingfactorial Randomized Complete Block Design(RCBD) withthreereplications. Theobjectivesof thestudywastoassesshow Haradtreesaffectthegrowth,yield,essentialoilqualityandeconomicperformanceof variousCymbopogoncultivars.Growthandyieldmeasuresweretakenattwodistances from the tree base (0-1m and 1-2m) as well as in open field conditions. Economic analysis was also conducted to compare benefit-cost ratios and returns under agroforestry vs. sole-cropping. newlineGrowthmetric-includingplantheight,tillercountperplant,leavespertillerand leaf area per plant consistently increased with greater distance from the tree canopy, with the highest values observed at 1 2m (D2) and the lowest at 0 1m (D1). Among cultivars, Krishna at D2achieved the greatest plant height (194.49cm) and CKP-25 at D1the lowest (54.93cm). Tiller number peaked in CKP-25 at D2 (81.15) and was minimal at D1(20.54). Leaf area and leaves per tiller followed similar trends, with Krishna (D2) registering the maximum leaf area (16,885cm²) and CKP-25 (D1) the minimum (1,891cm²). All growth parameters were significantly superior under sole cropping compared to under Harad. newlineYieldparametersincludedfreshleafweightperplant,herbageyieldperhectare also favoured the farther distance D2relative to D1under agroforestry. The Kalam cultivar at D2recorded the highest fresh leaf weight (992.03g) and herbage yield (60.72thaand#8315;¹), while CKP-25 at D1showed the lowest (155.19g and 9.70thaand#8315;¹). Essential oil yield per plant