Khejri (Prosopis cineraria)-based agroforestry system for arid Haryana, India

Effect of 20-year old khejri (Prosopis cineraria) trees on the grain and fodder yield of arable crops under rain-fed conditions was investigated. The trees influenced the fodder (green and dry) yield of associated crops. Fodder yield during both rainy (kharif—July–September) and winter (rabi—October–January) seasons was more in association with khejri trees as compared to sole cropping of fodder crops. The economic analysis of the system showed that higher returns were obtained when any of the fodder crops in sequence was grown in association with khejri than in monocropping. Maximum net returns (Rs. 15,197/ha) and benefit–cost ratio (3.73) was obtained when pearlmillet in kharif followed todia (Brassica tournefortii) in rabi under khejri trees. Grain crops, both in kharif and rabi also earned more profit when grown with khejri than alone.