Assessment of directional and spatial influence of bund planted teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) trees on productivity of Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajana (L.) Millsp]

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out in North-Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka, India to know the directional and spatial influence of bund planted teak trees on productivity of pigeonpea. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications of 12 treatment combinations with directions from tree line (E-Eastern direction, W-Western direction, N-Northern direction and S-Southern direction) and distances from tree line (D1-2.0–7.0 m, D2-7.0–12.0 m and D3-12.0–17.0 m) were considered as main and subplots respectively (the pigeonpea crop was sown at 2 m away from the tree line) and were selectively randomized with one outside control (without trees). Significantly lower growth attributes of pigeonpea such as plant height, number of primary branches per plant, leaf area, number of pods per plant and seed yield were observed on western and eastern direction of North-South tree line. However significantly higher growth attributes were recorded in southern and northern direction of East-West tree line. However, significantly lower growth attributes and seed yield were recorded near the tree line at distance 2-7 m (D1) and were increased with increase in distance from tree line and at distance 12-17 m from tree line growth and yield of pigeonpea were on par with the control (without trees). Thus, the study suggests to plant trees on E-W direction.