Performance of Naga Chilli as Intercropping with Sweet Orange Plant under Agroforestry Approach
J.C. Sarker *
Citrus Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jaintapur, Sylhet, Bangladesh.
S. Debnath
Department of Agricultural Extension and Entrepreneurship Development, Habiganj Agricultural University, Habiganj, Bangladesh.
S. Debnath
Department of Agricultural Extension, Fenchuganj, Sylhet, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field study was conducted at a farmer’s field in Faridpur village, Fenchuganj, Sylhet, from September 2021 to August 2022, to evaluate the biological performance of Naga chilli in a BARI Malta-1based agroforestry system. Naga chilli was grown both as a sole crop (farmer’s practice) and as an intercrop with BARI Malta-1 plant. The growth characteristics of Naga chilli including plant height, canopy spread, and number of branches at different growth stages showed no significant differences between the two systems. However, yield-related traits were slightly affected by the cropping pattern. Sole Naga chilli cultivation produced the highest yield (9.69 t/ha), while the agroforestry system yielded 8.74 t/ha, indicating a minor reduction (9.80%). BARI Malta-1plants in the agroforestry setup showed steady growth, with plant height and stem diameter increasing by 59.51% and 88.73%, respectively, over the one-year observation. The cultivation of Naga chilli in an agroforestry system had no significant effect on the yield and yield components of BARI Malta-1plants. When intercropped with Naga chilli, BARI Malta-1 produced a yield of 13.00 t/ha, compared to 14.73 t/ha under sole cropping, resulting in a yield reduction of 13.73%. The study concludes that integrating BARI Malta-1 with Naga chilli in an agroforestry system can serve as a sustainable and efficient alternative to highland cropping in Bangladesh, contributing to improved food and nutrition security.
Keywords: Naga chilli, agroforestry, household, intercrop