SUSHIL KUMARI, K. S. AHLAWAT, K. K. BHARDWAJ, P. K. POONIA, S. ARYA AND SATPAL
Department of Forestry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
Department of G&PB, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : sushil.punia100@gmail.com)
(Received : 2 June 2026; Accepted: 28 June 2026)
SUMMARY
The present study was carried out during the kharif season of 2019–20 at the Forestry Research Farm, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India. The experimental site is geographically located at 29°092 N latitude and 75°432 E longitude, with an elevation of 215.2 m above mean sea level, and falls within the semi-arid agro-climatic zone of north-western India, to evaluate the effect of Eucalyptus tereticornis planting geometry on growth and fodder productivity of cowpea. The study included two geometries (4×2 m and 5×2 m) along with a control (without trees) under a randomized block design with seven replications. Forage crop cowpea was sown during Kharif season. Results indicated that wider spacing (5×2 m) significantly improved tree growth parameters such as height and DBH. Among tree-based systems, 5×2 m spacing performed better than 4×2 m. The study highlights the importance of optimum spacing in agroforestry systems for balancing tree growth and crop productivity. The standard package and practices as recommended by university were followed for raising of fodder cowpea crop. The fertilizer and irrigation requirements of trees were fulfilled from the irrigation and fertilizers application to the fodder crop. Growth measures of eucalyptus clone P-23 height and diameter at breast height (DBH) at the end of the cropping season. Tree growth increased with wider spacing. Maximum height (9.2 m) and GBH (25.7 cm) were recorded under 5×2 m spacing. The higher growth at wider spacing may be attributed to reduced intra-specific competition for light, water, and nutrients. The data indicates that 5m x 2m spacing is more appropriate spacing of clonal Eucalyptus plantation from productivity and practically fruitful aspect.
Key words: Planting geometry, agroforestry, cowpea, fodder productivity, DBH, semi-arid region