Rooting Pattern and Biomass Potential of Henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) in Legume Based Intercropping Systems Under Rainfed Condition of Hot Semi-Arid Region of Rajasthan, India Mohamed M.B. Noor, Shukla A.K.*, Gupta Dipak Kumar1, Mehta R.S., Keerthika A., Choudhary Kamla K., Meena S.R. ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Regional Research Station, Pali Marwar-306 401, India 1ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Hazaribagh-825 411, India *E-mail: anilciah@gmail.com
Online Published on 20 February, 2024. Abstract The knowledge of rooting pattern and structural development of roots are prerequisite to improve and optimize the productivity of any agroforestry systems. The present study was conducted to observe the rooting pattern and distribution of henna (Lawsonia inermis) roots in leguminous based intercropping combinations in relation to leaf production under hot semi-arid region Rajasthan, India. The experiment plot was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Different combination of cluster bean and henna were taken and Sole henna was taken as control. The mean of horizontal root length increased from 76.66cm (H: CB 1:1) to 111.6 cm (Alley cropping (6m)) while vertical root length varied from 62.33 cm (H: CB 1:2) to 99.66 cm (Sole henna (C)). The maximum root spread was recorded in Alley cropping (6m) (98.88 cm) and minimum root spread was in H: CB 1:1 (61.22 cm) followed by Sole henna (C). The maximum above ground biomass was recorded in alley cropping (6m) while minimum in Alley cropping (3m). Maximum below ground biomass was recorded in H: CB (1:2) followed by strip cropping and sole henna (C) and minimum was in H: CB (1:1). Since considering economical parameters, alley cropping with cluster bean (6m) is the best intercropping system among the other systems in hot semi arid region of Rajasthan under rainfed condition. Top Keywords Henna, Hot arid and semi-arid zone, Cluster bean based intercropping systems, Rooting pattern and distribution. Top |