Agrisilviculture System Research Articles

Biomass, productivity and monetary efficiency of various cropping systems in the Almora district of the Indian Himalaya

ABSTRACT Uttarakhand hills are blessed with mesmerizing beauty but low crop productivity because of which the farmers are diverting from agriculture. A research investigation was conducted in Dantola village, Almora District, Uttarakhand, India, to understand the dynamics and performance of hill agro-ecosystems by estimating biomass, productivity and monetary efficiency of the existing cropping systems. Total five systems were selected which consist of six monocrops, three mixed crops, two agri-silviculture systems, one agri-horticulture system and silvi-hortipasture system. System-wise, higher biomass was observed in agri-silviculture system with an average value of 134.3 tonnes/ha. Farmyard manure was found to be the major source of nutrients supply to the crops. The monetary efficiency of various cropping systems revealed that the total returns were highest in the agri-horticulture system (USD 8805.76/ha) followed by horsegram+sorghum (USD 1620.49/ha) and urdbean (USD 1448.65/ha). When the net benefit from various cropping systems was analysed, maximum net returns were observed in agri-horticulture (USD 5867.57 lakh/ha), followed by horsegram+sorghum (mixed cropping) and urdbean. Overall, agri-silviculture systems provided higher biomass while legumes, agri-horticulture system and silvi-hortipasture systems were found to be the most efficient in terms of production and monetary efficiency and therefore can be recommended to the farming communities.

Variation of biomass carbon stock within agroforestry systems in the Senegalese groundnut basin

Agroforestry plays a pivotal role in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. While carbon sequestration efforts have primarily centred on forests, it is imperative to acknowledge the contribution that non-forest ecosystems, such as agroforestry, can offer. This study investigated the influence of agroforestry systems on the variation of biomass carbon stocks in the Sahelo-Sudanian and Sudanian regions of the Senegalese Groundnut basin. Three primary agroforestry systems were studied: silvopastoral, agrisilvicultural, and agrosilvopastoral. Forty-six (46) 100 m × 100 m plots were sampled, within which 1 × 1 m2 subplots were used to sample understory biomass across three agroforestry systems in the two climatic zones. Analysis of variance was performed to assess the influence of agroforestry systems and climatic zones on biomass carbon stocks. The findings showed that in the Sahelo-Sudanian region, the agrisilvicultural system exhibited the highest AGC + BGC stocks, averaging 43.42 ± 21.61 tCha−1. In contrast, the silvopastoral system showed significantly higher AGC + BGC stocks, which amounted to 36.33 ± 12.27 tCha−1 in the Sudanian region. On the other hand, understory carbon stocks were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the agrisilvicultural and agrosilvopastoral systems than in the silvopastoral system in both climatic zones. Agroforestry systems had a significant effect on AGC + BGC stocks within climatic zones. Nevertheless, the effect was less pronounced when comparing across climatic regions. These results underscore the importance of specific land management practices interacting with local climatic conditions to influence AGC + BGC stocks. Therefore, policy makers should carefully consider the interaction of these factors when implementing carbon management practices and planning mitigation strategies in West Africa.

A Growing Prosperity of Okra Cultivation (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under Mahaneem (Ailanthus excelsa) Based Agro-Silviculture System in a Semi-Arid Region of India

Production of food to feed the rapidly growing population of India is the current challenge. To overcome such global issues of food security and climate change, there is a need to develop a good economically feasible agroforestry system in the tropics. Besides that, Indian farmers also facing the effect of climate change on the monocropping system and lack of optimum land utilization for their economic sustainability. Hence, the economic feasibility of okra cultivation in the agri-silviculture system of mahaneem (Alianthus excelsa) in the arid zone was conducted at the Regional Research Station in Bawal, Haryana, India during two consecutive rainy seasons from July 2020 to October 2020 and July 2021 to October 2021. To create an economically prosperous agro-forestry system, okra varieties Varsha Uphar and Hisar Naveen were planted under various planting densities of Mahaneem in an agri-silvicultural system. Nevertheless, agroforestry is a compelling alternative that encourages social, economic, ecological and agricultural sustainability in response to these challenges. The ratio of net return to cultivation cost was used to compute the benefit-cost ratio for the test of the economic feasibility of the proposed agroforestry system in the semi-arid zone climate of India. The present study revealed that 10 x 10 m planting spacing with the Hisar Naveen okra variety calculated the highest net return (108528 Rs./ha &amp; 123884 Rs./ha in the consecutive years) and benefit-cost ratio (1.90 &amp; 1.86 in the consecutive years) which was highest profitable for farmers to get economic and ecological security. Hence, it is recommended that the Mahaneem-based agro-silviculture system, specifically incorporating the Hisar Naveen variety, proves to be economically more feasible compared to sole cropping which offers practical guidance for farmers and policymakers seeking effective strategies to enhance agricultural productivity amidst evolving environmental conditions.

Correlation Studies on Different Growth Parameter of Spice Crops under Poplar Based Agroforestry System

The Present study was carried out to estimate the correlation of intercrop viz., Fennel, Ajowain, Coriander, Fenugreek, Mentha, Kalonji, Chilli and Cumin under Poplar-based agroforestry system. Experiment was conducted under 15 years old existing poplar based agri-silviculture system using Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and 8 treatments in central part of state U.P. The treatments used under experimentation are (C1) Fennel, (C2) Ajowain, (C3) Coriander, (C4) Fenugreek, (C5) Mentha, (C6) Kalonji, (C7) Chilli, and (C8) Cumin. The significantly positive and negative correlation was recorded on parameter viz. Plant Height, No. of Branch, No. of leaves, No. of Umbels / plant, No. of Umblets/ Umbels, No. of Seed / Umblets, test Weight and yield. The findings of present study will be benefits to farmers and agriculture professionals in estimating correlation of various yield and growth parameters under Poplar tree under certain management practices to get higher returns.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF VARIOUS CROPPING SYSTEMS IN LOWER-MIDDLE HIMALAYAN REGION OF WESTERN HIMALAYA, INDIA: A CASE STUDY

Energy efficiency is one of the most profound method to analyse the sustainability of any system. Although, modern technologies are highly energy intensive, but hill agriculture in Uttarakhand is still relying on traditional methods of farming. In the present study, various cropping systems practiced in a village of Almora district of Uttarakhand have been compared and analysed for their energy efficiency in order to bring out better performing systems in terms of energy. Out of six monocrops, three mixed crops, two agri-silviculture systems, one agri-horticulture system and one silvi-hortipasture system, legumes and pulses cultivation has proved to energy efficient while cereal production came out as less energy intensive. The systems with maximum total -1 -1 energy output (MJ ha ) were agri-horticulture (387548.9 MJ ha ) followed by agri-silviculture -1 (soybean+sorghum+trees; 335964 MJ ha ) and soybean monocrop (275971.5 MJ ha-1). It is recommended that legumes-based systems and silvi-hortipasture may be promoted for the long term sustenance of the hill agriculture as they are less input exhaustive, hence, may put less burden on farmers living on subsistence basis.

Impact of Bio-Fertilizers under Supplementary Irrigation and Rain-fed Conditions on Some Physiological Responses and Forage Quality of Smooth Vetch (Vicia dasycarpa L.)

The purpose of this study was the evaluate use of bio-fertilizers to adjustment water shortage stress and improved smooth vetch (Vicia dasycarpa L.) yield under water deficit stress conditions. Thus, A 2-year experiment were performed in an agrisilviculture system of plum orchard in 2016 and 2017. In this study, the single, double and triple combined of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi- Rhizophagus intraradices (AMF), Azotobacter chroococcum (Az) and Thiobacillus spp. (Th) on smooth vetch plants were evaluated under rain-fed and supplemental irrigation. The results indicated that irrigated plants had more Fe and Zn nutrients than rain-fed plants. Combined use of AMF + A. chroococcum more improved the forage dry matter digestibility (DMD), total digestible nutrient (TDN), net energy for lactation (NEL), dry matter intake (DMI) and relative feed value (RFV) than plants with single inoculation. In irrigated plants, double and triple combination of AMF with A. chroococcum and/or Thiobacillus spp. improved chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, RWC, TSS, AsA, and GSH while lowering proline and MDA. Rain-fed condition reduced grain yield. In conclusion, synthesis non-enzymatic antioxidant because of the combined use of bio-fertilizers (AMF, Az and Th) can reduce ROS damage and improve water deficit resistance and yield in smooth vetch rain-fed plants.

The Shading Effect of Poplar (Populus Deltoides) on Wheat Crop

This study was conducted in different villages of the district Saharanpur. The poplar tree (Populus deltoides) is used as the tree component and wheat crops are used as intercrops in an agrisilvicultural system. In this study, the different effects of poplar (Populus deltoides) on wheat crops were discussed. The parameters which are recorded were grain yield and biological yield. In the district Saharanpur, there are two patterns of tree growing with crops, block plantation and boundary plantation. It was observed that the yield with block plantation is less than boundary plantation. It was also recorded that 95% of farmers are doing boundary plantation in the district Saharanpur. In shaded areas, grain and straw yields were also drastically lowered by poplar border plantations. All villages saw a significant decline in grain yield due to the shading effect of poplar trees. It is observed that in the villages of district Saharanpur most of the farmers are practicing agroforestry with poplar (Populus deltoides). There are multiple effects of shading on agricultural crops. For this study, those farmers were surveyed who are growing poplar trees with different crops. Trees and crops both were analyzed for the survey.

Agroforestry systems in the mid-hills of the north-western Himalaya: A sustainable pathway to improved soil health and climate resilience

Identifying the new tree crop combinations plays an important function in transforming the low input agriculture into land units with high economic returns, increasing carbon (C) sink and nutrients storage capacity, and acting as a panacea to achieve Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). The present study aims to evaluate various tree-crop combinations for (i) biomass production, (ii) carbon accumulation, and (iii) soil nutrient enrichment of traditional and commercially evolved eight agroforestry systems (AFSs), including agri-silvi-horticulture system, agri-silviculture system, silvi-pasture, fruit tree, fodder tree, bamboo, melia and poplar based AFSs with sole cropping system in the mid-hill zone of the north-western Himalaya. The results demonstrated that poplar based AFS accumulated a higher amount of biomass (130.87 Mg ha−1) and carbon (65.44 Mg ha−1) closely followed by melia-based AFS. The C stored in leaf litter was higher (0.66 Mg ha−1) in poplar-based AFS, however, soil C stock was maximum (114.69 Mg ha−1) under bamboo-based AFS. Overall, the Melia based AFS exhibited a higher rate of carbon dioxide mitigation (19.30 Mg ha−1 yr−1) and C-sequestration (5.26 Mg ha−1 yr−1) than other studied AFSs. Moreover, soil macro-nutrients (available N, P, K, S and Ca) were maximum under bamboo-based AFS, on the other hand, the fruit-based AFS had the higher concentrations of micro-nutrients i.e., Cu (3.05), Fe (31.10 mg g−1) and Mn (17.31 mg g−1). The soil microbial counts were higher in poplar-based AFS, whereas, the soil quality index improved significantly under bamboo based and fruit tree based AFSs. Hence, it can be concluded that the experimentally evolved AFSs represent an effective approach for boosting C-sequestration, soil fertility, regenerating the soil and sustainability of hill agriculture in the north-western Himalayas over traditional AFSs and sole cropping.

Agri-silvicultures of Mexican Arid America

BackgroundAgri-silvicultures (ASC) are biocultural practices procuring either the maintenance of wild diversity in predominantly agricultural spaces or introducing agrobiodiversity into forests. In the Mesoamerican region, ASC contribute to food sovereignty and territorial conservation and provide strategies for dealing with global changes. Previous inventories of ASC identified gaps in information about these systems in the Mexican Arid America region. This article raises the general question: How have human interactions between cultural, wild, and domesticated biodiversity in this territory? The particular questions in this paper are: (i) How have historical processes shaped human interactions between wild and domesticated biodiversity in the region? and (ii) What types of agri-silvicultures have emerged in Mexican Arid America since these relationships?MethodsWe trace a methodological border where archaeologists have identified the Mesoamerican region to define our study area as Arid America northern of this line in Mexico. We analyzed agriculturalization processes in Arid America through a historical review. Then, we carry out an inventory of Arid America ASC based on academic papers and other documented experiences. We constructed a spatial database and a typology to understand what kinds of agri-silviculture occur in the region.ResultsWe identified several pre-Hispanic agri-silvicultural practices in the region, like hunting, fishing, terraces, gathering, and irrigation systems. The cultivation of native species of maize, beans, and squash even was registered. The Spanish colonization forced the agriculturization in arid northern Mexico, where itinerant hunting-gathering patterns predominated. In the twentieth century, the Green Revolution adopted this area as the principal setting for industrialized agriculture. The industrialized irrigated systems expansion and other political strategies provoked the simplification of productive landscapes. The practices that integrate wild and agricultural diversity systems were marginalized and invisibilized in such a context. Our research group proposes seven types of agri-silvicultural systems (natives agrisilvicultures, the oases agroforestry, Mesquite and Huisache ASC, homegardens and other traditional forms of agroforestry or agri-silvicultures). These agri-silvicultures provide food, medicine, fodder, and other contributions, as income to the families that practice them and protect native and exotic species.Discussion and conclusionThe agriculturization of the arid environments initiated during Spanish colonization and the subsequent modernizing projects shaped dominant actors and ideologies in the arid north of Mexico. However, aridity has favored ancestral and agroecological relationships between cultures and biodiversity, emerging and subsisting Arid American agri-silvicultures. These agri-silvicultures deserve to be understood, adopted, and adapted to new contexts. They could be essential alternatives in the context of environmental changes.

Assessing soil organic carbon in agroforestry systems in different altitudes of Tehri District, Uttarakhand, India

An agroforestry system that combines trees and shrubs with crops, increases organic carbon accumulation in soil by providing continuous supply of organic matter over time. Soil organic carbon is a key component of terrestrial ecosystem that helps in enhanced sequestration of atmospheric CO2 in the soil. This study was carried out during the year 2017 in Tehri Garhwal of Uttarakhand. Three agroforestry systems selected were Agrihorticulture (AH), Agrisilviculture (AS) and Agrihortisilviculture (AHS) in three altitude viz., Lower altitude (286-1200 m), Middle altitude (1200-2000 m), and Upper altitude (2000-2800 m). Ten sample plots (100m2) were randomly laid out in each agroforestry system on each altitude of each block. Soil organic carbon was determined using the Walkley and Black method. Soil physico-chemical properties revealed that maximum bulk density (1.38 g cm-3) was recorded in the agrisilviculture system and minimum in agrihorticulture system (1.29 g cm-3). Maximum soil organic carbon (2.74%) was found in the agrihorticulture system and minimum in agrisilviculture system (2.48%). The soil organic carbon percent also increased significantly with the ascending altitudes. It was concluded that upper altitude (2000-2800m) and agrihorticulture system had accumulated greater soil organic carbon pool and suggested that, if need be, conversion of agriculture field should be into agrihorticulture system in Northwestern Himalayas for better soil carbon sequestration.

Nitrogen Use Efficiency in an Agrisilviculture System with Gliricidia sepium in the Cerrado Region.

Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) is a tree legume that has great potential for use in agriculture because of its multiple-use characteristics. However, there is little information in the literature about the effect of agrisilvicultural systems on nitrogen (N) cycling. This study evaluated the effect of densities of gliricidia on N cycling under an agrisilvicultural system. The treatments were composed of different densities of gliricidia: 667, 1000 and 1333 plants ha-1, with a fixed spacing of 5 m between the alleys. The efficiency of N use was investigated by using the 15N isotope tracer. In each plot, a transect perpendicular to the tree rows was established in two positions: (i) in the corn (Zea mays) row adjacent to the trees, and (ii) in the corn row in the center of the alley. The N fertilizer recovery efficiency ranged from 39% in the density of 667 plants ha-1 to 89% with 1000 plants ha-1. The effect of gliricidia on the N uptake by corn was higher in the central position of the alley with 1000 plants ha-1. The agrisilvicultural system with 1000 plants ha-1 was highly efficient in the recovery of mineral N, representing an excellent option for integrated production systems in tropical regions.

Soil Organic Carbon Status and Macronutrient Availability As Affected by Different Density Plantations of Bombax ceiba L. Based Agrisilvicultural System In Calcareous Soil

Soil Organic Carbon Status and Macronutrient Availability As Affected by Different Density Plantations of Bombax ceiba L. Based Agrisilvicultural System In Calcareous Soil

Effect of Pre-sowing Treatment to Break the Seed Dormancy and Seed Germination of Melia composita under Laboratory Conditions

Melia composita (Burma dek) is one of the multipurpose fast growing tree species applicable for the agri-silviculture system. In northern India, due to its fast growing and short rotation nature it has developed one of chosen tree species by the farmers under agroforestry. Melia composita occurs mostly in tropical moist and dry deciduous forest of Himalayas. The seed have Hard endocarp and therefore quite difficult to germinate. There are different types of seed dormancy and it helps in find out the better pre-sowing treatment to assure early and uniform germination of seeds. This leads to minimize the cost of large scale seedlings production. The present study was conducted at Laboratory of Seed Science and Technology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University during 2019 to evaluate the “Effect of pre-sowing treatments on seed germination of Melia composita”. Five pre-sowing treatments viz., normal water soaking (24, 48 and 72hr), conc. H2SO4 (5, 10 and 15 min.), cow dung slurry (5, 10 and 15 days), boiling water (5, 10 and 15 min.), mechanical scarification + GA3 (100 ppm) (8, 16 and 24hr). In laboratory conditions, maximum germination (64.67 %) and seed viability (74.67%) were recorded in concentrated H2SO4 treatment at 15 minute, whereas maximum root length (7.54 cm), shoot length (16.72 cm), root: shoot ratio and seedling dry weight (0.65g) were recorded in mechanical scarification + GA3 (100 ppm) at 24 hr.

Adaptation Reasons for Agroforestry in the Study Area of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

It is paramount to assess the social and economic status of the farmers in the adaptation of any agroecosystem. Studies on the impact of socio-economic factors specifically in the agroforestry system adaption are meager in Uttar Pradesh. The present research was carried out in the villages of the three selected districts (Kaushambi, Pratapgarh, and Allahabad) of Eastern Uttar Pradesh with 750 respondents in 2020. The investigation aimed to assess the reasons in the study area to adopt the agroforestry models. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the respondents and primary, as well as secondary data, were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis by using an appropriate statistical design. Results showed that socio-economic factors, like family size, education, and age of the farmers greatly impacted the adaptation and difference in combinations of agroforestry systems. The land area under Agroforestry in Kaushambi with 54% followed by Pratapgarh (52%) and Allahabad (50%). the majority of the farmers adopted trees on their farmland for traditional purposes in the Kaushambi district (72%) and in Pratapgarh and Allahabad districts 72% and 70% respectively. The adoption of agroforestry systems for commercial purposes was observed highest in Allahabad (18%) followed by Kaushambi (16%) and Pratapgarh (12%). The Agrisilviculture system is practiced in the three districts and there were different combinations recorded in Pratapgarh (Teak+paddy: 96%); Allahabad (Eucalyptus+mustard: 96%) and Kaushambi (Teak+ mustard: 95.6%) districts. Conclusively, this study would be an asset and provide an idea for the policymakers in implementing or promoting agroforestry system practices in Uttar Pradesh.

Biomass Production and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Different Agroforestry Systems in India: A Critical Review

Agroforestry systems (AFS) and practices followed in India are highly diverse due to varied climatic conditions ranging from temperate to humid tropics. The estimated area under AFS in India is 13.75 million ha with the highest concentration being in the states of Uttar Pradesh (1.86 million ha), followed by Maharashtra (1.61 million ha), Rajasthan (1.55 million ha) and Andhra Pradesh (1.17 million ha). There are many forms of agroforestry practice in India ranging from intensified simple systems of monoculture, such as block plantations and boundary planting, to far more diverse and complex systems, such as home gardens. As a result, the biomass production and carbon sequestration potential of AFS are highly variable across different agro-climatic zones of India. Studies pertaining to the assessment of biomass and carbon storage in different agroforestry systems in the Indian sub-continent are scanty and most of these studies have reported region and system specific carbon stocks. However, while biomass and carbon stock data from different AFS at national scale has been scanty hitherto, such information is essential for national accounting, reporting of C sinks and sources, as well as for realizing the benefits of carbon credit to farmers engaged in tree-based production activities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to collate and synthesize the existing information on biomass carbon and SOC stocks associated with agroforestry practices across agro-climatic zones of India. The results revealed considerable variation in biomass and carbon stocks among AFS, as well as between different agro-climatic zones. Higher total biomass (&gt;200 Mg ha−1) was observed in the humid tropics of India which are prevalent in southern and northeastern regions, while lower total biomass (&lt;50 Mg ha−1) was reported from Indo-Gangetic, western and central India. Total biomass carbon varied in the range of 1.84 to 131 Mg ha−1 in the agrihorticulture systems of western and central India and the coffee agroforests of southern peninsular India. Similarly, soil organic carbon (SOC) ranged between 12.26–170.43 Mg ha−1, with the highest SOC in the coffee agroforests of southern India and the lowest in the agrisilviculture systems of western India. The AFS which recorded relatively higher SOC included plantation crop-based practices of southern, eastern and northeastern India, followed by the agrihorticulture and agrisilviculture systems of the northern Himalayas. The meta-analysis indicated that the growth and nature of different agroforestry tree species is the key factor affecting the carbon storage capacity of an agroforestry system. The baseline data obtained across various regions could be useful for devising policies on carbon trading or financing for agroforestry.

Species Composition and Economic Evaluation under Agroforestry Practices in three districts of Haryana

The study is the outcome of status and economic evaluation of poplar, eucalyptus and other species based agroforestry practices adopted by farmer in Ambala, Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar districts of Haryana. The Populus deltoides and Eucalyptus spp. were dominant commercial species of agroforestry systems followed. Block plantation was adopted highest in Kurukshetra followed by Yamunanagar and Ambala while boundary plantations were also found highest in Ambala than Yamunanagar and Kurukshetra. Among species, poplar was major component in Yamunanagar followed by Ambala and Kurukshetra and Eucalyptus had major composition in Kurukshetra than Ambala and Yamunanagar. Among horticulture species, mango, guava etc. were found maximum in Yamunanagar followed by Ambala and Kurukshetra while the forestry species like neem, drek, shisham etc were also found in the trend of Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra and Ambala districts. The overall net return was found higher under block system than the bund system in poplar based agri-silviculture system. In commercial terms, the B:C ratio was found higher from Poplar based in block planting than poplar based on bund planting in agri-silviculture system. Similarly, net returns were also obtained from eucalyptus based agroforestry systems. Comparatively as per net returns and B:C ratio in the block system were found more economic to bund systems.

Diversity and composition of plant species in a communal agroforestry system at Manggatal, Sabah

Agrisilviculture, the practise of combining forest trees with crops and fruit trees, is common on smallholder and communal land in Sabah. This research aims to determine the diversity and composition of plant species in a communal rubber-based agrisilvicultural system at Kampung Ratau, Manggatal, Sabah. A 50 m x 200 m plot was established in an old rubber garden mixed with other plants. The plot is divided into 10 m x 10 m quadrats. All trees measuring more than 1 cm dbh, lianas and vines were recorded. Diversity indicated by the Shannon-Weiner index H 'value is 2.72 for all types of plants, 2.25 for trees, and 1.73 for lianas and vines, respectively. The Simpson index (D) is 0.87, 0.78, and 0.68 for all types of plants, trees, lianas, and vines, respectively. The Margalef index (Dm) is 5.69, 3.36, and 2.89 for all types of plants, trees, lianas, and vines, respectively. The dominant tree, liana, and vine species are Hevea brasiliensis (128), Smilax cf. laevis (96), and Lygodium cirinnatum (23). The agroforestry system can support moderately diverse plant species and contains several dominant species.

Response of Timber Yield, Biomass, CAI and Carbon Sequestration to Varied Pruning Intensities of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. in Agrisilviculture System in Central India

In Central India, an experiment was carried out on a 22 year old Dalbergia sissoo based agrisilviculture model in 2020-21 to investigate the response of different pruning intensities on Rabi seasonal diameter growth, timber production, CAI of total biomass, and carbon sequestration potential. Each year, paddy followed by wheat is grown under trees spaced at 5m × 5m continuously being treated with four different pruning intensities, i.e., 0% (P0: No pruning), 25% (P25: Light pruning), 50% (P50: Moderate pruning) and 75% (P75: Heavy pruning) of the total tree height. It was reported that different rates of pruning had a significant effect. Maximum Rabi seasonal D.B.H. increment was recorded in P0 (0.68 cm) and minimum in P75 (0.49 cm). Maximum seasonal yield of large-sized timber, small-sized timber, and fuelwood (5.80 m3 ha-1, 0.62 m3 ha-1 and 7.48 q ha-1, respectively) were recorded under light pruning treatment (P25). However, the minimum seasonal yield of large-sized timber and fuelwood (5.80 m3 ha-1 and 5.14 q ha-1, respectively) were under heavy pruning (P75) and the minimum seasonal yield of small-sized timber (0.32 m3 ha-1) under moderate pruning (P50). Maximum annual above-ground biomass, annual below-ground biomass and current annual increment of total biomass (171.63 q ha-1 yr-1, 34.33 q ha-1 yr-1, and 205.95 t ha-1 respectively) were recorded under light pruning treatment (P25), while minimum (84.50 q ha-1 yr-1, 16.90 q ha-1 yr-1 and 101.40 t ha-1 respectively) under heavy pruning (P75). Carbon sequestration potential was reported to be higher with light pruning (92.68 q ha-1 yr-1), followed by moderate pruning (63.69 q ha-1 yr-1), while minimum under heavy pruning (45.63 q ha-1 yr-1) and no pruning (46.91 q ha-1 yr-1) at all. It was concluded that light pruning of 25% was best among the four treatments in terms of timber and biomass yield.

Assessment of Existing Agroforestry Practices in East Hararghe Zone Oromia, Ethiopia

An agroforestry practice produces different benefits, which enhance household incomes and diversification of products. This study was aimed to identifying existing agroforestry practices and to identify perception behind of agroforestry practice and to identify the opportunities and major constraints related to agroforestry practices in Fedis, Kersa and Jarso Districts of the lowland, midland and highlands agro ecologies, of East Hararghe Zone, oromia, Ethiopia. The study was based on a household survey conducted on 154 farm household heads; focus group discussions, key informant interviews and direct field observations were applied. The data were analyzed using analytical (SPSS 20.0) software packages to calculate descriptive statistics. Chi-squared tests were used to compare the agroforestry practices and agro ecologies. The result indicates that six AFPs exist in the study area namely; scattered trees on croplands (58%), hedge row intercropping (33%), home garden (22%), multipurpose trees on farmland (19%), live fence /boundary planting (18%), and wind breaks (4%) were dominant. Significant respondent number (51.96%) of practices is involved in agri-silvicultural system, most of the farmer’s (45.12%) have positive attitude towards Agroforestry practices in the study area. Most of the respondents agreed on agro-forestry practices increased the construction input, soil fertility, food, and fodder. On the other hand, sacristy of land, moisture stress, diseases and pests, inadequate seedlings availability, and inadequate extension services are the major constraints . Results of the socio-economic characteristics respondents showed that gender, age, family size, and land holding positively and significantly influence the decision of the determined practice of household’s and were significantly affected the choice of agroforestry practice by the households. Based on the survey, it is concluded that scattered trees on farmland, hedge row intercropping, and home garden AFP dominant practices across agro ecologies and were the most appropriate agro-forestry practices. This agro-forestry practices increased the construction input, soil fertility, food, and fodder in the area of land sacristy, moisture stress, diseases and pests. Therefore, further the tree integration efforts of farmers should be guided by scientific principles, the interaction tree species with annual crops and economic analysis of the individual agroforestry practices, domestication of nitrogen fixing trees, fruit tree species, and promoting sustainable agroforestry should be carried out. Keywords: Agroforestry practices, indigenous knowledge, scattered trees on crop land, multipurpose tree, small holder farmers, and cash crops DOI: 10.7176/DCS/12-3-03 Publication date: March 31 st 2022

Evaluation of agroforestry systems viz-a-viz livelihood of farmers of Jammu

The study to investigate the socio-economic values of different land use systems and their impact on the livelihood of farmers was carried out in different blocks of Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir during 2019. Out of total 20 blocks of Jammu district, 10 blocks were delineated purposively having maximum rainfed area. Two villages were selected randomly from each selected block with 08 farmers/households randomly selected as respondents making a size of 160 respondents. A prestructured questionnaire was used for collecting the data from respondents. Two agroforestry systems namely; agrisilviculture and agro-silvo-pastoral were mainly identified in study area contributing 23% and 77% to the livelihood of the respondents respectively.The findings revealed that the overall economic returns from agri-silviculture system and agro-silvo-pastoral in study area in Jammu district were `164833 and `181820 respectively. The study further concluded that large part of population in the study area was dependent on agriculture as the main income generating component in existing agroforestry systems.