IMPACT OF MULTISTOREYED AGRO-FORESTRY SYSTEMS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TURMERIC AND GINGER AT MYMENSINGH, BANGLADESH

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and development of turmeric and ginger under five different light levels at Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during March to December, 2009. Treatments consists of, open field condition or production under full sunlight (T1) which consider as 100% of light level, Sissoo + Guava based agro-forestry system (T2) which allowed 65-75% of PAR, Sissoo + Lemon based agro-forestry (T3) which allowed 35-45% of PAR, Coconut + Guava based agro-forestry system (T4) which allowed 70-80% of PAR and Coconut + Lemon based agro-forestry system (T5) which permitted 25-30% of PAR at the Germplasm Centre (GPC), were evaluated in randomized complete block design .Results indicated that growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of turmeric and ginger were increased gradually with the decrease of light levels. Significantly the maximum growth parameters were recorded under T5 whereas yield attributes and yield was highest under T4 followed by T3. The tallest plant and the highest length of leaves were found under treatment. All spices gave maximum yield under partial shade (T4). Growth parameters of ginger were significantly the highest under T5 and it were at par with T3 and T4 respectively. Yield attributes and yield of ginger were significantly the highest under T4 followed by T3 and T2.