VARIETAL PERFORMANCE OF NAPIER (Pennisetum purpureum) FODDER UNDER MANGO BASED AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Agroforestry Research Farm, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur during May to July 2010 to investigate the performance of napier fodder varieties undere mango (Mangifera indica) orchard. The experiment was consisted of 2 factors RCBD with 3 (three) replications. Among the two factors, one factor A was two production systems: S, = mango + napier and S, = napier (sole crop); another factor B was three napier varieties: V; = BARI Napier- 1 (Bazra), V2 = BARI Napier-2 (Arusha) and V3 = BARI Napier-3 (Hybrid). The experimental results revealed that the main effect of variety on growth, yield contributing characters and yield of napier fodder were significantly varied from each other. The highest yield (4.97, 10.93 and 5.13 tha” at 1‘, 2™ and 3™ harvest, respectively) was recorded in variety Bazra whereas the lowest yield (2.14, 5.47 and 2.85 tha’ at 1‘, 2" and 3™ harvest, respectively) was recorded in variety Hybrid. Again, the yield of napier fodder were significantly influenced by the main effect of different production systems. The highest yield (10.01, 21.56 and 10.64tha” at 1‘, 2™ and 3" harvest, respectively) of napier was recorded under mango based AGF system. Significantly, the lowest yield (8.28, 19.54 and 8.71 tha” at 1°, 2" and 3™ harvest, respectively) was recorded in open condition i.e. sole cropping. Moreover, the interaction effect of different napier fodder variety and production system on the yield of napier was found significantly different at different harvest. The highest yield (6.53, 12.13 and 5.60 tha” at 1%, 2" and 3™ harvest, respectively) was recorded in mango based AGF system with Bazra variety and the lowest yield (1.88, 5.60 and 2.85 tha’! at 1", 2™ and 3™ harvest, respectively) was found in mango based AGF system with Hybrid variety. Therefore, the suitability of napier cultivation under mango based AGF system may be ranked as Bazra > Arusha > Hybrid variety. Again, in case of economical analysis the BCR of mango based AGF system (3.91) was superior over sole cropping (3.28). So, from the findings it may be concluded that the cultivation of napier in the floor of mango orchard ensures higher revenue to the farmers compared to its sole cropping.