PERFORMANCE OF SUMMER VEGETABLES UNDER REDUCED LIGHT CONDITION AS AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Central farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from March, 2014 to June, 2014. The aim of the study was to select best summer vegetables, suitable for inclusion under shade condition in agroforestry systems. The selected vegetables were also grown in control i.e., open field condition. The vegetables were Indian Spinach, Stem Amaranth, Kangkong, Okra, Eggplant and Chilli and treatments were (a) T vegetables under full sunlight and (b) T iii shade sun = planting summer = planting summer vegetables under shade condition (reduced light intensity). The experiment was laid out following single factor RCBD design. Three replications were used for each treatment for each crop. During the study period maximum light intensity reduction was recorded in Chilli (42.2%) and minimum light intensity was reduced in case of Indian Spinach (22%) under shade. The shade had substantial effects on various growth parameters of the summer vegetables. From the experiment, significant result was observed in all morphological characteristics for all vegetables except Chilli under reduced light. Apart from this, highest yield was found in Kangkong (18.67 ton/ha) and Okra (22.54 ton/ha) in reduced light condition. Highest yield of Indian Spinach (8.93 ton/ha), Stem Amaranth (27.67 ton/ha), Eggplant (22.63 ton/ha) and Chilli (8.06 ton/ha) was recorded under full sunlight. Considering shade condition, Kangkong and Okra were best suitable for growing in Agroforestry systems.