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Indian Spinach and Okra Cultivation Along with Swietenia Hybrida Tree as Agroforestry Practices

M. R. Hasan
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

A. Akter
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

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

M. A. Wadud
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A field experiment was conducted in SPGR (Sponsored Public Goods Research) sub-project research field to evaluate the performance of Indian spinach (Basella alba) and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in association with Lombu (Swietenia hybrida) tree at different distances from tree base during January to June 2012, under the Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. This study was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and four treatments. Different distances from the tree base were treated as different treatment. There was control treatment i.e. Indian spinach and Okra vegetables were cultivated in the open field condition (without tree). Four treatment of this study were viz. T0 (open field condition referred as control), T₁ (0.0-2.5 feet distance from the tree base), T₂ (2.5-5.0 feet distance from the tree base) and T₃ (5.0-7.5 feet distance from the tree base). The results showed that in association with Lombu tree fresh yield of both Okra and Indian spinach were gradually increased with increasing distance from tree base. The fresh yield of Indian spinach and Okra were highest in open field condition and these were 43.70 t/ha, 22.53 t/ha respectively. On the other hand the yield of Indian spinach in association with Lombu tree reduced 46.45%, 26.77% and 3.2% in 0.0-2.5 feet, 2.5-5.0 feet and 5.0-7.5 feet distant area, respectively. Similarly the yield of Okra along with Lombu tree reduced 14.20%, 7.15% and 1.73% in 0.0-2.5 feet, 2.5-5.0 feet and 5.0-7.5 feet distant area, respectively. Thus it appears that the yield performance of both Indian spinach and Okra vegetables were better in open field condition comparing to Lombu tree-vegetable association.

Keywords: Indian spinach, Okra, Swietenia hybrid, Agroforestry

Location: Char Kalibari, Mymensingh Sadar Upazilla

Start Date: 00-01-2012

End Date: 00-06-2012

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Tree, Okra, Spinach

Objectives:

1. To examine the morphological performance of Indian spinach and Okra in association with Lombu tree at different distance from tree base and to find out the optimum distance from tree base where the production of Indian spinach and Okra were satisfactory.

Methodology:

Experimental site: The experiment was carried out at char Kalibari belongs to the Mymensingh Sadar Upazilla during the period from January to June 2012. The district Mymensingh is located between 24?38'3'' North and 90?16'4'' East Latitude. Total area of this district is 4363.48 km² and situated on the west bank of Brahmaputra River. The geographical position of char Kalibari located between 24?45' to 24?45'40'' North and 90?24'4'' to 90?24'44'' East Latitude. It is an attached Char land which has three distinct elevations i.e. upper elevation is relatively stable char, while the middle and lover elevation remained inundated during the rainy season in each year. Only upper portion is suitable for cultivation of vegetables during summer and winter season. Tree and planting materials: In this study the two years old previously established Lombu trees (Swietenia hybrida) were used as tree components. The seeds of Indian spinach (Basella alba) variety viz., BARI Puishak-1 (Chitra) were purchased from BRAC seed center. The seeds of Okra (Abelmoschus esculenta) variety BARI Dherosh-1 were also collected from International Seed Fair in Bangladesh Agricultural University campus, Mymensingh. These two vegetables were used as plant materials in this study. as control), T₁ (0.0 feet to 2.5 feet distance from the tree base), T₂ (2.5 feet to 5.0feet distance from the tree base), T₃ (5.0 feet to 7.5 feet distance from the tree base). Sampling procedure and data collection: Indian spinach plant samples were collected randomly from all rows of the respective plots. Ten representative sample plants were selected from each plot for data collection. Sample plants were collected at 50, 60, 70, 80 & 90 days after sowing. The leaf stem ratio was determined by dividing the leaf weight by stem weight. For determining dry yield/ dry weight of plants, 100 g subsamples were oven dried at 70⁰C for 72 hours. Dry yield was calculated using the following formula: Total dry weight = (Subsample oven dry weight /Subsample fresh weight) x Total fresh weight. Plant samples of Okra were collected randomly from all rows of the respective plots. Ten plants of Okra were selected from each plot for data collection. The parameter such as plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, number of fruit per plant, single fruit weight, fruit length, fruit girth and days to first edible fruit harvest was considered for data collection. Dry yield was calculated by previous method as well as dry yield of Indian spinach. Statistical analysis: Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA to examine whether treatment effects were significant. Mean value were compared by DMRT (Duncan’s Multiple Range Test). The software package, MSTATC was followed for statistical analysis.

Source of Information: J. Agrofor. Environ. 6 (2): 119-124, 2012; ISSN 1995-6983

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is concluded that the performance of Indian spinach and Okra i.e. yield and yield contributing characters under different distances from the Lombu tree base were different. Under open field condition the performance of Indian spinach and Okra were better than those of the other treatments. But also it was observed that these two vegetables can be grown in association with Lombu tree as agroforestry system in 5.0-7.5 feet distance from tree base by scarifying 3.20% and 1.73% yield loss, respectively. Near the tree base completion for light, air, water, space, nutrients etc. were severe but after 5 feet distances from the tree base such type of competition were minimum. So, it may clear that both the vegetables Indian spinach and Okra are suitable in agroforestry systems at early stage of plantation.

Knowledge Management: Journal