Physiological Behaviour and Yield Evaluation of Colocasia Under Agri-Horti-Silviculture System

An agri-horti-silviculture model involving fruit trees, poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr. Ex Marsh.) as timber tree and colocasia were evaluated for yield and eco-physiological behaviours. Net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration in colocasia were higher in pear ??Kinnow combination than in highly shaded area of poplar ones. Colocasia showed better performance under partial shade in yield and yield contributing parameters, and decreased as canopy advanced in age. These parameters showed inverse relationship with canopy age and vice versa with more yield reduction under sixth year old canopy followed by preceding years and control. The transpiration (E) rate of colocasia was lowest under shade conditions irrespective of the crop used in the experiment leading to more water use efficiency in the shade conditions than in open. It is suggested that to minimize resource competition and improve physiological processes of crops, canopy management is essential to ensure better yield under pear-based agri-horti-silvicultural system