Effect of different spacing of Ailanthus excelsa on performance of Lentil varieties in Bundelkhand region

Abstract

Ailanthus excelsa based agroforestry offer farmers greater economic benefits, enhance soil health, address the decrease in national forest coverage (33%), and supply raw materials for both industries and the rural community's domestic needs. During the research, two different spacing of Ailanthus excelsa examined were 5 m × 4 m and 5 m × 3 m with two different growing conditions, namely sole cropping and intercropping. The data analysis indicates that the lentil varieties cultivated in open conditions had superior development and production characteristics compared to those produced under agroforestry. An analysis was conducted on various growth and yield characteristics of lentil varieties revealing a notable impact of growing conditions on both plant growth and yield parameters. The findings indicate that parameters such as plant height, number of primary branches, number of root nodules per plant at 90 DAS, dry matter accumulation, number of pods per plant, number of days taken to physiological maturity, number of days
taken to 50% flowering, straw yield, grain yield, biological yield were greater in IPL 316 variety over L 4727 under sole cropping as well as in agroforestry. Ailanthus excelsa based agroforestry gave higher net returns compared to sole cropping.