ICRISATs work on nlodeling sosorghrrm, pearl millet, and groundnrrt is summarize4 and
flle inlplications foragroforeshysystems an mmined. Trees can improve waterinjiltration
and ufiliied eeprpmjile water not accrssible to con~mtionalc rops. In thispaper
we have shrdied how the bttroduction of tree species in crop systenls m,ottld affect overall
water use a~~dproditctivitIV).e haw analp-d climatic data ojfive selecfed locations in
arid and semi-arid India in terms oJt1te distribution and dependability ofrainfoll and the
trend in seasonal rainJatlpatten1 in the recent years.
Pmbabililies oJavailable soil water are simlrlated for these locations. Available waler
holdi~tgcapacityo fthesoils are assumedas 25,50,100, and l5Omm at each oftheselected
locations to accortnt soilsfor ratcging from very shallow lo medirrm deep. Grain yields and
total drynratterare si~nrtlatedfort hese agroclimatic conditions to outline the environmeqts
where agroloresty is feasible.
Grain yields and total dry matter oJtlte crops at various le~*elosf shading by the treeconlponent
are sintrrlated. =se results are qected to giw some insight as to how the
tree-ntanagement will am1 the microclintale and productivity of the crop. Effects of
changes in niicroclimale such as canopy temperature and radiation intercepted (by manipnlatbrgrow
widrh, plant dettsir);canopygrowrhJ on productivity based on information
from intercroppC~gandJorestystudiesa rediscussed Simulation mulfsarec ornpared wit11
tlte crperintental data from ICRlSAT and elsewhere on appropriate cropping systems
under various agroclimatic conditions.
hfinimunt data sets that need to br coNecledfrom specijc qerimcnfs designed for
agrajoresty sfudies are identified