Optimizing Maize Productivity Under the Sandalwood-Based Agroforestry System: Effect of Secondary Hosts and Tree Spacings

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of different spacings adopted for Sandalwood (Santalum album L.) trees along with various secondary host species on its growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) intercropped under this Sandalwood based agroforestry system. A field investigation was carried out in one-year-old Sandalwood plantations during kharif season of 2021 - 2022 year covering Marathwada agro-climatic zone of Maharashtra in Jalna district. Observations on growth (Height, Collar diameter, Crown length and Crown diameter) of Sandalwood planted in split plot design at three different  spacing (i.e.4×4m, 5×5m and 6×6m) were recorded with various secondary host species including Sesbania grandiflora (T1), Phyllanthus emblica (T2), Mangifera indica (T3), Casuarina equisetifolia (T4), Terminalia arjuna (T5), Tectona grandis (T6), Millettia (Pongamia) pinnata (T7), and Cassia siamea (T8) while in agri crop yield attributes like plant height, dry matter accumulation, no. of cobs per plant, cob length and grain yield were recorded. Preliminary results indicates that maximum growth of Sandalwood exhibited a height of 1.69 m with crown length of 1.41m, maximum collar diameter of 2.79 cm with highest crown diameter of 1.68m planted at wider spacing i.e.S3 (6×6m) with intermediate host of Sesbania grandiflora (T1) while in case of maize the number of Cobs /plant was 2.20, Cob Length (24.96 cm), and grain yield (6509.43 kg ha-1) was recorded maximum under the tree spacing of S3 (6×6m) as compared to that of 5×5m and 4×4m spacings. Also,Sesbania grandiflora (T1) consistently led to the maximum maize grain yield among other host species planted with sandalwood. The study concludes that wider spacing (6×6m) of Sandalwood with combination Sesbania grandiflora as a secondary host optimizes the growth of Sandalwood with maize crop. This combination proves most compatible and efficient to enhance overall productivity under the Sandalwood based agroforestry systems.