Vol. 11, Special Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Sneh Yadav, KS Ahlawat, Chhavi Sirohi, Todar Mal and KK Bhardwaj

Abstract:
The present study was undertaken to assess the soil moisture content under 3x3 m spacing of poplar at 1 m and 1.5 m away from tree line as compared to control (sole wheat crop) at different depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm) when wheat crop was grown as an intercrop with poplar during 2019-20 and 2020-21. Among all the depths of soil, the maximum soil moisture content was found at 30-45 cm soil depth and at a distance of 1.5 m from poplar tree line. The moisture content was higher under 3x3 m poplar intercropping as compared to control (sole wheat) during both the year of study. Maximum per cent increase in the moisture content (30.95, 27.85 and 24.71%) was recorded at a distance of 1.5 m from tree line in soil depths at 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm, respectively after 14 days of 6^th irrigation over control (sole wheat) during 2020-21. Moisture content (7.7%) was less in control (sole wheat) as compared to wheat under poplar plantation (8.82%) at a distance of 1 m away from tree line and soil depth of 0-15 cm before 5^th irrigation during 2019-20.