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Performance of Red Amaranth During the Early Establishment Period of Moringa Oleifera L. Plantation

S R Sumona
Department of Agroforestry and Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207

Arif Ahmed
Department of Agroforestry and Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207

M G J Helal
Department of Agroforestry and Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207

Hossain Kausar
Department of Agroforestry and Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was undertaken to find out the response of red amaranth in association with drumstick (M. oleifera L.) sapling. The experiment was conducted at agroforestry experimental field, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Dhaka-1207 during February to March 2018. Four treatments namely, T₁= 12.0 cm distance from the tree base, T₂= 24.0 cm distance from the tree base, T₃= 36.0 cm distance from the tree base and T₄= Open field referred to as control, were used in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. At harvest, plant height in treatment T₃ was 25.0 cm which was statistically similar with the plant height observed in control condition (T₄). However, at harvest 22 % less stem girth was found in the plants under T₃ treatment compared to the plants of control treatment. The significantly highest leaf length (5.77 cm) and breadth (3.75 cm) were observed in the plants under control treatment (T₄) which were closely followed by the plants of T₁ treatment with the values of 4.52 cm and 3.32 cm, respectively. Among the agroforestry treatments, the highest leaf number, shoot length, and root length were found in T₃ treatment which were only 15.0 % (leaf number), 13.0 % (shoot length) and 7.0 % (root length) less than that of control condition. Apart from control treatment, the highest fresh weight, dry weight and yield were obtained in the plants under T₃ treatment. The highest moisture content (94.2%) and dry matter content (6.3%) of red amaranth were found in the plants of T₁ and T₃ treatment, respectively. Thus, it revealed that in association with Moringa sapling the optimum performance of red amaranth was found in the plants under T₃ treatment. Therefore, farmer may cultivate red amaranth in association with Moringa sapling up to six month by maintaining 18.0 cm distance from tree base.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Red amaranth, Dry matter content, Yield, Agroforestry

Location: Agroforestry experimental field, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Dhaka-1207

Start Date: 00-02-2018

End Date: 00-03-2018

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Moringa_(Sojena), Red amaranth

Objectives:

The objective of determining the growth and yield performance of red amaranth grown in association with M. oleifera sapling at different distance from tree base.

Methodology:

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the response of red amaranth in association with drumstick (M. oleifera) sapling to find out the best tree crop interaction in Agroforestry system. Experimental site- The research work was carried out at the agroforestry experimental field of the department of Agroforestry and Environmental Science, Sher- e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207 during the period from February 2018 to April 2018. Plant materials- In this study the cuttings of M. oleifera tree were collected from Savar, Dhaka used as tree components. The seeds of red amaranth were collected from United Seed Company, Siddique Bazar, Dhaka. Each sapling was 120 cm in length. At first 35 cm deep and 30 cm wide square size pits were dug maintaining 120 cm distance in the experimental field and then the pit was filled with surrounding soils. The Moringa cuttings were placed into the central portion of the pits. The above ground Moringa cuttings height was 80 cm which was similar for all of the cuttings used as Moringa planting materials. Experimental design and treatment combination- Red amaranth was laid out by following the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Four treatments were used in this study which were follows- T₁= 12.0 cm distance from the tree base T₂= 24.0 cm distance from the tree base T₃= 36.0 cm distance from the tree base T₄ = Open field referred to as control; Land preparation, and crop husbandry- The experimental land was first opened on 1 January 2018 and all operations were done by spades. Then the land was left fellow for one month. During this time all crop residues and weeds were removed from the land, broken stones and bricks were sorted out and finally the land was properly leveled for red amaranth cultivation. Red amaranth seeds were sown in the experimental plot on 20 February 2018. After emergence seedlings were thinned out. No other chemical fertilizers were used in this study but cow dung (20 t/ha) which was applied in the experimental field during final land preparation. No pesticide and insecticide were applied as the crops were not infected by any pest and diseases. Irrigation, weeding and other intercultural operations were done when and where necessary. Measurements and definitions- Red amaranth was harvested at 30 days after sowing (DAS) when the crop reached at edible size. Plant samples of red amaranth were collected randomly from the respective plots. A total of 60 (5 from each replication) plants of red amaranth were selected in each plot for data collection. Plant height was measured in centimeter (cm) by using a scale 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days after sowing (DAS) from the point of ground level to the tip of the plant leaf. Number of leaf per plant − Five plants from each plot were selected randomly and tagged properly. The leaf number was counted precisely for each plant. Stem girth (cm) − each stem of the plant with a roller scale, then the sum of stem diameter was divided by five to record average stem diameter of plant. The leaf length and leaf breadth of the upper 3rd leaf of each plant was measured with a centimeter scale. Stem diameter of plant (cm) − Randomly five plants were selected and measured each stem of the plant with a roller having mm scale, the sum of stem diameter was divided by five to record stem diameter of plant. Weight of single plant (g) − randomly five plants were selected from each replication and the sum of the weight of five plants was divided by five, then it was recorded as weight of single plant (g). Data analysis- All the data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and tested for significance by Least Significant Difference (LSD) using R-3.5.1 software (R Core Team, 2013).

Source of Information: Eco-friendly Agril. J. 13(11):47-55, 2020 (November)

Article Link (Online Journal): www.efaj-international.com

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The yield performance of red amaranth affected significantly due to different distance from Moringa sapling base. The highest yield of red amaranth was observed in control condition. Apart from control, the second highest yield was found under T3 treatment, which was 16% less than that of control condition. The yield decline continued up to 20% for treatment T2 and 23% for treatment T1 compared to that of control condition. Therefore, we observed best yield performance of red amaranth at treatment T3 which was 18 cm distance from tree base in association with Moringa sapling. Thus, farmer can cultivate red amaranth in association with Moringa tree maintaining 18.0 cm distance from tree base without much loss.

Knowledge Management: Journal