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Performance of Sweet Gourd in Association with Eucalyptus Saplings

M. Rahman
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Z. Alam
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

M.A. Mondol
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

G.M.M. Rahman
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was conducted at the Char Kalibari which is situated at the side of Brahmaputra River adjacent to the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to study the growth and yield of Sweet gourd grown in association with Eucalyptus saplings. The experiment was conducted during October 2011 to March 2012 in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The different treatments were- T₁(2 feet distance from the tree), T₂ (4 feet distance from the tree), T₃ (6 feet distance from the tree from tree bases). The treatment T₀ referred as control. From the results, it was observed that the growth and yield of Sweet gourd increased rapidly as distance increased from the tree base. All the parameters i.e. plant height, diameter, leaf length, leaf breadth, number of fruits plant^-1, weight of fruits plant^-1, yield etc. increased gradually with increasing distance from tree bases. The treatment control i.e. without tree gave the highest results in all the studied parameters of Sweet gourd than those treatments with Eucalyptus association. Among the distance treatments, the highest (6.5kg/plant) yield of Sweet gourd was obtained in T₃ treatment and lowest (5.0 kg/plant) in T₁ treatment in Eucalyptus association. It was observe that sweet gourd compete highly with Eucalyptus sapling as because Eucalyptus has attained highest height growth, vigorous stem, spreaded root with lateral root system; shading and lighting effect. In case of large distance treatments (e.g. 6 feet distance), no competitions were visible and the short distance showed less production for more competition among nutrient and other growth factors in this agroforestry practices.

Keywords: Eucalyptus, Sweet gourd, Agroforestry, Tree-crop association

Location: Char Kalibari side of Brahmaputra River adjacent to the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-10-2012

End Date: 00-03-2012

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Eucalyptas, Sweet gourd

Objectives:

1. To investigate the performance of sweet gourd in association with Eucalyptus saplings

Methodology:

The experiment was carried out at Kalirchar, which is situated by the side of Brahmaputra River adjacent to the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from 15 October 2011 to 15 January 2012. The study area is geographically located at about 24°75" North latitude and 90°50' East longitude. The experiment was laid out in a low land belonging to the AEZ(Agro-ecological Zone)of Old Himalayan Flood Plain area. The soil texture was sandy loam with a pH 6.6. The structure of the soil was fine and the organic matter content was 1.80%. This characteristic of the soil was previously tested in the Soil Science Department, BAU, Mymensingh). The seed was collect from BRAC seed centre, Mymensingh. The association with Eucalyptus tree saplings maintaining standard spacing grew Sweet gourd. Experiment was laid out following the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replication and single factorial arrangement of multistoried production system. Following four treatments were used in association with Eucalyptus saplings experiment:T₀=Open field referred to as control, T₁=2 feet distance from the tree, T₂=4 feet distance from the tree, T₃=6 feet distance from the tree The land used for the experiments was first opened one week before laying out the experimental plots. The land was well prepared with the tractor followed by harrowing and laddering up to a good tilth. All weeds and stubbles were removed accordingly. The Sweet gourd was directly sown in the experimental plot on 10 October 2011. Those seedlings were collected from BRAC seed Centre, Mymensingh. The spacing was taken 20 x 20 cm for Sweet gourd planting. After emergence, Sweet gourd was thinned out by maintaining 15, 25 and 30 days, respectively. Only cow dung was applied as manure. The full amount of cow dung was applied at the time of final land preparation. The experimental plots were kept weed free by weeding frequently. The land were irrigated wherever needed by using hose pipe and watering cane to supply sufficient soil moisture for the vegetables. Emergence of Sweet gourd seedling was started after 15 days from the date of sowing. Seedlings were thinned out for three times. First thinning was done after 15 days of sowing. The second and third thinning was done after 25 and 30 days of sowing respectively. No pesticide and fungicide were used in the field for tree-vegetable association. Sweet gourd was harvested at 90 days after seed sowing. It was harvested at several picking. Three and four plants were randomly selected for data collection. The parameters under study were as follows: No. of leaves, Length of leaves, Breadth of leaves, Vein length, No. of branch, Length of branch, No. of flowers, No. of fruits, Length of fruits, Diameter of fruits, and Yield. The analysis of variance for each of the studied character was done by F (variance ratio) test following Randomized Complete Block Design. The mean differences were evaluated finally by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of significance.

Source of Information: J. Agrofor. Environ. 7 (1): 19-21, 2013; ISSN 1995-6983

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It was observed that the growth and yield of Sweet gourd increased rapidly as distance increased from the tree base. All the parameters i.e. plant height, diameter, leaf length, leaf breadth, number of fruits plant^-1, weight of fruits plant^-1, yield etc. increased gradually with increasing distance from tree bases. The treatment control i.e. without tree gave the highest results in all the studied parameters of Sweet gourd than those treatments with Eucalyptus association. Among the distance treatments, the highest (6.5kg/plant) yield of Sweet gourd was obtained in T₃ treatment and lowest (5.0 kg/plant) in T₁ treatment in Eucalyptus association. It was observe that sweet gourd compete highly with Eucalyptus sapling as because Eucalyptus has attained highest height growth, vigorous stem, spreaded root with lateral root system; shading and lighting effect. In case of large distance treatments (e.g. 6 feet distance), no competitions were visible and the short distance showed less production for more competition among nutrient and other growth factors in this agroforestry practices.

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