Influence of horti-silviculture combinations on pre-bearing growth and physiological parameters of pear

The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of different inter-crops on pre-bearing behavior of pear. Increment for rootstock diameter, plant height, plant spread and canopy volume were observed in different intercropping systems. There was significant effect of intercrops on growth of pear trees, except with poplar, where height and tree spread were significantly lower. Photosynthesis rate was higher in the trees with different intercrops than in the open conditions and maximum was recorded with Kinnow (7.44 μmol m−2s−1) and minimum with poplar (6.15 μmol m−2s−1). The rate of photosynthesis was more during morning and noon hours and least during afternoon during entire year.