Forage productivity and carbon storage from based Hardwickia binatasilvopasture systems in semi arid rainfed conditions

Abstract

A study was conducted from 2018 to 2022 on ten year old based silvopasture system at Hardwickia binataIndian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi. The treatment consisted of establishment of three types of grasses and in association with viz. Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon fulvusPanicum maximumH. binataH. binataC. fulvus and three pruning intensities of 30%, 45% and 60%. Establishment of viz.in association with recorded significantly higher dry pasture yield (7.91- 8.93 t/ha) as compared to H. binata P. maximumC. ciliaris (6.19-7.08 t/ha) and it was found at par with (7.62-8.70 t/ha) during 1 to . In st4 yearsthpruning, 60% canopy pruning of recorded significantly higher pasture yield (7.99, 8.40 and 8.99 t/ha) H. binataas compared to 30% canopy pruning (7.19, 7.27 and 7.38 t/ha) and 45% canopy pruning (7.67, 7.95 and 8.33 t/ha). Organic carbon content (0.646%) was significantly increased with during respectively2 , 3 and 4 yearsndrdthC. fulvusP. maximumC. ciliaris as compared to (0.591%) and it was found at par with (0.627%) in 4 year of thstudy. Available nitrogen (260.60 kg/ha), phosphorus (9.36 kg/ha), potash (238.70 kg/ha) and organic carbon (0.663%) were also significantly increased with 30% canopy pruning as compared to 60% canopy of H. binatapruning in . recorded 79.90% higher carbon stock in 4 year of study (19.61 t/ha) as compared 4 yearthH. binatathto initial year. Total carbon stock of the system was maximum with in association with (39.29 C. fulvus H. binata and 50.73 t/ha) closely followed by (38.51 and 50.30 t/ha) and (36.20 and 46.68 t/ha) C. ciliaris P. maximum during . recorded significantly 1 Among pruning, 30% canopy pruning of stand 4 years respectivelythH. binata higher total carbon stock during of the system (50.82 t/ha) as compared to 60% canopy pruning (47.42 t/ha)4 thyear.of study