PERFORMANCE OF TURMERIC IN THE LITCHI BASED AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the 30 years old litchi orchard of Agroforestry Research Farm, HSTU, Dinajpur during April to December 2007. The study was to conducted investigate the performance of turmeric (var.Dimla T-027) under litchi orchard on the basis of light intensity/ distance from the tree base. The litchi tree was planted in the field by 10m x 10m distance for plant to plant and line to line also. In the experiment, there were four treatments, i.e. T; (2.0-3.0 m distance from tree base and approximately light intensity 20-30%), T, (3.0-4.0 m distance from tree base and approximately light intensity 40-50%), T; (4.0-5.0 m distance from tree base and approximately light intensity 80-90%) and T, Open field, and light intensity 100%). Values of all growth parameters of turmeric were influenced by different shade levels created due to distance from tree base. The highest plant height was recorded from T, (156.43cm) followed by T, (142.30cm). On the other hand the lowest value was recorded in T, (115.20cm). Number of leaf per plant and number of tiller per plant were highest in T; (8.73and 3.33) followed by T, (7.53 and 2.73). On the other hand the lowest values were found in T; (5.53 and 2.23). But the value of all yield contributing attributes (number of fingers per plant, finger fresh weight per plant, finger dry weight per plant, rhizome fresh weight per plant and rhizome dry weight per plant) were the maximum in T; followed by T,. Significantly the highest yield (23.59 t/ha) of turmeric was recorded in T; followed by T, (18.20 t/ha) while significantly the lowest yield was obtained in T, (10.7 t/ha). The study suggested that up to 3.0m distance from tree base could not be used for turmeric production.