Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties under Different Spacings of Poplar (Populus deltoides Marsh.) in Lower Western Himalayas

An investigation was carried out in the summer season of 2002-2004 to evaluate comparative Maize (Zea mays L.) performance under various tree spacing of Poplar (Populus deltoides Marsh) including control plot (no tree). Increase in distance between tree rows resulted higher growth in height, diameter at breast height, crown diameter and crown length of tree and grain yield in maize crop. The negative influence of tree spacing on Maize growth and yield parameters was in the order of 8m×3m < 6m×4m < 5m×5m < 4m×6m. The trend in grain yield reduction in different maize varieties was in the order of 'Sartaj' (35.22%) > 'Parvati' (26.47%) > 'PSCL-3438' (25.52%) >'Naveen' (21.66%) grown under 4m×6m spacing of Poplar.