Leaf Fall in Poplar and its Impact on Wheat Intercrop

The decomposition of Poplar leaf litter is very slow; this has detrimental physical effect on wheat intercrop. Survival and yield of late-sown variety of intercropped wheat were significantly increased by weekly removal of Poplar leaflitter in four-year-old block plantation of Poplar raised at 5m x 4m spacing. However, despite removal of leaf litter at such frequent intervals, yield of intercropped wheat crop is quite low in comparison with open field. Alternative R&D options for reducing the harmful physical effect of Poplar leaf fall on wheat crop have been suggested.