Soil Properties, Micrometeorological Parameters, Forage Yield and Phosphorus‐Uptake of Berseem as Influenced by Phosphate Application under Agroforestry System of Production

Abstract

AbstractThe field study of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) in association with trees indicated that forage production was highest under Hardwickia binata allowing 80 per cent PAR of open as compared to Acacia tortilis and Leucaena leucocephala with 65 and 48 per cent PAR respectively. The forage yields of berseem were 78, 57 and 36 per cent under Hardwicka, Acacia and Leucaena respectively to that under non‐tree association (open canopy). The tree associations helped in improving soil productivity. Organic carbon, available nitrogen and phosphorus, field capacity and soil porosity increased, whereas EC and bulk density decreased under plots with tree associations in the order of Leucaena followed by Acacia and Hardwickia. The phosphate application improved the forage yield and P uptake and utilization. It has also helped in higher organic carbon and available N and P content of soil and also improved the water retention properties of soil by increasing field capacity and pore space and lowering the bulk density, P application to crops at increased rates also reduced the ill effects of radiation curtailment under tree canopy to some degree. The forage yields of berseem were greatly influenced by P application under both the canopy systems (tree and non‐tree).