In the quest of increasing productivity, the multi-tier system 'agroforestry' has assumed wider recognition. Although agroforestry is an old practice, the world over, the term and the science of agroforestry are comparatively of recent origin. The recent agroforestry systems involve a combination of crops and trees and sometimes animals in the land use in such a way so as to obtain maximum production of food, fodder, wood and other products and provide greater financial return. The combinations and crop types vary from region to region. All existing agroforestry systems as practised in India have been discussed, including the crop composition and crop interaction. Several other factors, such as the criteria for the selection of suitable species, the interaction of trees with agricultural crops, their effect on the total yield and income of the farmers, management considerations, economics and ecological aspects, etc., which are relevant to the agroforesters, have also been discussed. Tree planting by farmers in an organised manner is comparatively recent development. With the rapid acceptance of agroforestry practices by farmers, the collection and collation of all available information on different types of tree species their nature, rate of growth, their interaction with annual cops, yield and produce obtainable from them and marketing facilities available are of great significance. The silvicultural and general information of about 150 tree species commonly grown in different regions of India, given in the book will be useful to practising agroforesters and other interested in agroforestry.
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