Productivity studies in marihal bamboo (Oxytenanthera stocksii) under agroforestry system

An experiment was conducted to know the performance of marihal bamboo (Oxytenanthera stocksii) under Agroforestry system in rainfed conditions during 1999 -2006 on red gravelly soils of Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The bamboo was planted in three spacings viz., S 1 -4x2m, S 2 -4 x 3m, S 3 -4x4m, S 4 -4 x 5m and S 5 -Field crop. Sesamum crop was grown for four years. At the end of 2006-07, bamboo culm height and diameter were significantly higher in spacing of 4 x 5 m as compared to 4 x 2 m. Harvestable culms and gross return were higher in wider spacing (4x5m) as compared to narrow spacing (4 x 2m). The sesamum grain yields were higher in wider spacing than narrow spacing.