Silvipastoral Systems Research Articles

Silvopastoral system compared to other conventional production systems in the Maranhão State Cerrado

Silvipastoral systems are identified as options for land use due to the high potential they offer to increase the level of income from agronomic, social, economic, and ecological aspects. Given the above, this study aimed to evaluate the environmental benefits of implementing a silvopastoral system in Cerrado Maranhense, in comparison to other conventional production systems. The same was done in 2013 from February to May on a private property located in São Francisco do Brejão (MA) during the rainy season. The experiment evaluated three types of system: a) silvopastoral, composed of leucaena, grasses, and beef cattle, b) rotational system, and c) extensive system. A randomized block design in a 3x3 factorial scheme with three replications was used. Three pasture management systems (silvopastoral system, rotational system with native regeneration and extensive system) and three evaluation times (08:00 h, 12:00 h, and 16:00 h) were evaluated. After sample collection, dry biomass was determined. In the evaluation of ecophysiological parameters, the photochemical efficiency and estimate of the relative chlorophyll content in brachiaria plants of the three systems were determined. The photochemical efficiency was determined in the grasses of each system, being randomly evaluated three leaves per plant. The silvopastoral system was the one that showed the greatest increase in dry biomass of forage and the best results for the photochemical parameters, standing out as the best system for livestock.

Influência da época e do número de desrama sobre o desenvolvimento inicial de Tectona grandis l. F. no sistema silvipastoril

This study was developed to evaluate the number and epoch of the pruning and its influence on the development in height, diameter and quality of the frustum of a teak stand in silvipastoral system, located in the municipality of Alta Floresta, northern region of the state of Mato Grosso. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four treatments (T1: pruning three times a year in August, November and February, T2: pruning only in February, T3: pruning only in August and T4: pruning only in November) and five repetitions with eight trees per plot, totaling 160 trees. Pruning was applied at 12, 24 and 36 months of age. Evaluated the DAP (1.30 m), overall height, height and diameter increments, and frustum quality are polluted. The application of the T2 treatment (artificial pruning carried out in February) had a positive effect on the initial development of T. grandis in the silvopastoral system in the Alta Floresta region, Mato Grosso

Umidade e água disponível no solo em monocultivo de pastagem e sistema silvipastoril com fileiras duplas de eucalipto

The expansion of silvipastoral system could be achieved through reform of forage grass monoculture system in soil with a sandy surface layer, but ranchers are concerned that there may be competition for soil water between the pasture and eucalyptus.The objective of this study was to evaluate the moisture and water available in silvipastoral system and forage grass monoculture in different seasons, distance of eucalyptus trunks or terracesat 1 m depth ina Hapludox soil.Reclamation forage grass monoculture was held with cassava (2008-2010), being the eucalyptus seedlings planted simultaneously to the planting of cassava in August 2008. Two systems of terraces spaced 20 m were evaluated: a) forage grass monoculture stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) system and b) silvipastoral system (2x3) +20 with stargrass forage and eucalypttree(Eucalyptus grandis).The soil water content(θ) was determined in four seasons for eucalyptus tree had 2-3-year-old, from July/2010 to March/2011. Use the following sampling positions: 2.5, 5 and 10 m away from the rowsof eucalyptus trees downstream of the terraces. Disturbed soil samples were collected at 0-0.2 m (A horizon –sandy texture), 0.2-0.4 (Bw1–sandy loam texture), and 0.4-0.6, 0.6-0.8 and 0.8-1.0 m (Bw2 –sandy clay cloam). Field capacity and permanent wilting pointwaters contents was determined.The silvipastoral system compared to forage grass monoculture system decreases θ on the horizon Bw2.The θ was within the limits of the water available in the horizons A and Bw1 for the stargrass forage between the double rows of eucalyptus trees in silvipastoral system during the seasons. Thesilvipastoral system implemented does not compromise θ to stargrass forage at 0-0.4 m depth.

Resistência mecânica do solo à penetração em sistema silvipastoril após onze anos de implantação

Com a crescente demanda por alimentos, surge a necessidade de intensificação no uso do solo, convergindo para sistemas de produção com características de sustentabilidade. Uma alternativa, aplicada à agricultura, é a adoção de sistemas integrados de produção agropecuária, como exemplo está o sistema silvipastoril. A integração entre sistemas de produções visa maximizar o uso dos recursos naturais e dos insumos, com menos impacto sobre o ambiente e maior ganho em produtividade da área. Nesse sentido, os efeitos em longo prazo, promovidos por sistemas silvipastoris nos atributos físicos do solo, devem ser estudados e relatados na literatura científica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resistência mecânica do solo à penetração (RMP) em faixas longitudinais distribuídas entre linhas de árvores plantadas em duas disposições, Leste-Oeste e Norte-Sul, de um solo sob um sistema silvipastoril após 11 anos de sua implantação. A espécie arbórea implantada em 2006 foi a Grevillea robusta e, como espécie forrageira, a Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) sob pastejo com lotação rotacionada de bovinos de leite. Para determinação da RMP foram avaliadas as camadas de solo de 0,0-0,05; 0,05-0,10; 0,10-0,20 e 0,20-0,40m de profundidade com auxílio de penetrômetro digital. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso. As disposições das árvores não foram consideradas como fator experimental e as análises feitas isoladamente dentro das disposições Leste-Oeste e Norte-Sul. Os maiores valores de RMP foram observados na camada de 0,05-0,10 m do solo e nas áreas avaliadas com maior proximidade das árvores, indicando o efeito do animal, que permanece nesses locais por mais tempo devido ao conforto térmico proporcionado pela sobra das árvores. A serapilheira depositada no solo pelas árvores e sistema radicular da espécie forrageira deve ter auxiliado para que os níveis de RMP fossem menores na superfície do solo, considerando o incremento nos teores de matéria orgânica na superfície do solo. O efeito do sistema radicular da espécie arbórea pode ter contribuído para os maiores valores de RMP na profundidade de 0,20 a 0,40m para disposição LesteOeste.

Efeito do sistema de plantio e da exposição solar sobre a alocação da biomassa no desenvolvimento inicial do eucalipto

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de comparar a alocação da biomassa arbórea, a conicidade do tronco e a relação altura e diâmetro ao longo do fuste de árvores de eucalipto implantadas em sistema silvipastoril, em diferente exposição solar, e em monocultivo. Os dados foram coletados em 13 árvores amostras aos 27 meses de idade, selecionadas em função do intervalo de confiança da média dos diâmetros a altura do peito (DAP) e da posição das árvores na faixa de plantio, com face de exposição sul, norte e central. Concluiu-se que na comparação com o monocultivo, as árvores plantadas em sistema silvipastoril apresentaram menor altura total, maior conicidade e maior biomassa na copa. No sistema silvipastoril, não houve efeito da posição da árvore na faixa de plantio sobre a produção total de biomassa na parte aérea, porém, árvores com face de exposição norte foram mais baixas, cônicas e produziram maior biomassa de galhos e folhas nas partes inferiores da copa.

Behavior of buffalo heifers reared in shaded and unshaded pastures during the dry season on Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil

The objective of this research was to evaluate the behavior of twenty buffalo heifers reared during the dry season on Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil. The animals were distributed into two groups, those with shade (WS) and those without shade (WOS). The experimental day was divided into six shifts: morning (6:00 to 9:55 a.m.), intermediate (10:00 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.), afternoon (2:00 to 5:55 p.m.), evening (6:00 to 9:55 p.m.), night (10:00 p.m. to 1:55 a.m.), and early morning (2:00 to 5:55 a.m.). The WS group was kept in silvipastoral system paddocks, while the WOS group was kept in unshaded paddocks. Climatic data were registered and temperature and humidity index (THI) were calculated. Behavior data such as grazing, rumination, idle time, and other activities (walking, defecating, mounting, drinking water, urinating, eating salt) were evaluated. The results showed that the THI was higher in the WOS group. Grazing time was higher in the WOS group than in the WS group in the intermediate shift (p < 0.05), while in the afternoon, evening, and early morning shifts, the WS group spent more time grazing than the WOS group. In the intermediate and early morning shifts, the WS group spent more time ruminating (p < 0.05); the WS group ruminated more than the WOS group. The WOS group had more idle time, especially in the evening and early morning shifts (p < 0.05), while the WS group had more idle time in the intermediate shift (p < 0.05). We conclude that buffaloes graze and ruminate more intensely when they are reared in a shaded system on the island of Marajó.

Cyanogenic poisoning by spontaneous ingestion of star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis var. nlemfuensis cv. ‘Florico’) in cattle

ABSTRACT: This study reports the epidemiological data and the clinical-pathological condition of five outbreaks of cyanogenic poisoning in cattle spontaneously ingesting star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis cv. ‘Florico’). In all outbreaks, the areas where the plant was previously fertilized with high concentrations of nitrogen and the properties adopted the silvipastoral system. The first clinical signs appeared between 10 and 15 minutes after the first introduction of cattle and were characterized by muscular tremors, dyspnea, moderate tympanism, staggering gait, forced breathing with open mouth, sternal recumbency followed by death after 15 to 30 minutes and/or recovery in a few hours after the signs started. In total, 43 cows have become ill and 18 died. Two necropsies were performed and no significant changes were found except for the presence of the plant near the esophageal sphincter region. No histological lesions were seen through microscopy. Green leaves of the star grass were collected from all properties where the outbreaks occurred and the test of the picro-sodium paper was performed, revealing red-brick coloration in 20 minutes after maceration of the leaves.

English

This research aimed to evaluate the dendrometric development of four tree species (Carapa guianensis Aubl. (Meliaceae); Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd (Fabaceae), Swietenia macrophylla King (Meliaceae) and Handroanthus chrysotrichus (Mart ex A. DC.) Mattos (Bignoniaceae)) in a silvopastoral system in Santarem, Para, Brazil. Productive activities in the forest sector create a demand for technical capacity to promote sustainable management, with the silvipastoral system presented as one of the paths to sustainability. Three permanent plots of 1 ha each were established on the 240-hectare Diamantino Farm, and stem DBH 1.30 m from the soil surface, total height and crown diameter data were obtained for all individuals. In addition to the quantitative data, crown regularity and bole tortuosity parameters were measured. S. macrophylla achieved better performance in almost all parameters. C. guianensis and D. odorata, respectively showed greater uniformity in growth. The species, H. chrysotrichus had the smallest crown diameter; however it was still able to provide enough shade for animal thermal comfort. Key words: Dendrometry, forest management, reforestation.

Effect of Lopping and Root Barrier on Pasture Production in Colophospermum mopane Based Silvipastoral System in Western Rajasthan

Effect of Lopping and Root Barrier on Pasture Production in Colophospermum mopane Based Silvipastoral System in Western Rajasthan

Effect of chemical sprays and management practices on Brachiaria ruziziensis seed production

The demand for Brachiaria ruziziensis seeds and planting material is increasing in India as it is spreading into new niche areas of silvi-pastoral systems, horti-pastoral systems, mango orchards, and coconut plantations due to its resilience to drought and low light intensities. Brachiaria ruziziensis produces low numbers of pure seeds. In this study, seeds were collected periodically after a single destructive harvest (SDH) and shade drying. Application of irrigation and fertiliser produced a 2.3 fold increase in seed yield compared to the control. However, when seeds were collected through a single destructive harvest (SDH) and shade drying, rather than sweating, the seed qualitative parameters such as seed germination and seed viability improved three and five folds, respectively. Field management techniques such as irrigation and fertiliser application influenced the quantity of seeds produced whereas harvesting methods promoted the quality of seeds produced in B. ruziziensis. Seed germination could also be improved (50%) by treating the seeds with raw cow dung which contains many beneficial microorganisms that produce cellulolytic enzymes, alleviating seed dormancy. Seed yield improved in B.ruziziensis with chemical sprays such as Brassinosteroid 10ppm (145kg/ha) and Tryptophan 100ppm (147kg/ha) compared to the control, water spray (131kg/ha). Brassinosteroid sprays could enhance pollen fertility and yield probably through interactions with anther development and sugar metabolism, respectively. Brachiaria ruziziensis produces more vegetative growth in the second year due to its perennial growth habit. The filled seed yield from the second-year crop was 0.8 times less in the control compared to the first year, even with chemical sprays. Perennial plants, in general, maintain their longevity through a physiological trade-off between seed yield and underground growth. Hence, it is beneficial to replant B. ruziziensis every year if grown for seed purposes.

Scaling-up of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) Cultivation in Agroforestry for Entrepreneurship and Economic Strengthening of Rural Community of India

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is a unique tree with its great religious, medicinal, ornamental and multifunctional values. Old Indian literature viz. Atharava Veda, Upanishda, Amarkosha, Ghrayasutra, Ayurveda etc. mention neem tree as “Sarva Roga Nivarini” means medicine to cure all the diseases and United Nations declared it as “Tree of 21st century”. In India the Neem tree is household name and well distributed in rural as well as urban landscape but its promotion as a agroforestry tree either block, strip or boundary planting on farmland is limited. The hardy and multipurpose neem tree holds tremendous potential in sustainable farming systems across the world. Different agroforestry research has been carried out for intercropping with neem like sorghum, black gram, wheat, chickpea, groundnut, pearl millet, cotton, sorghum, horsegram, mungbean, cowpea, vegetables, grasses etc. under agri-silviculture, agri-silvi-horticulture, silvipastoral system and shelter belts/wind breaks etc. Besides this it has been also promoted for afforestation in farm and social forestry plantations and by NOVOD board for seed oil but this mission has not yielded marked change in large scale adoption by farming community. Inspite of such a highly bio-prospected species from datoon (Natural toothbrush) to contraceptive and neem coated urea, it has not been enterprised for rural economy. There is need to scaling up the neem tree cultivation on farm or agroforestry for entrepreneurship and economic strengthening of rural community of India.

Enhancing forage production through a silvi-pastoral system in an arid environment

A study was undertaken at Jodhpur during the years 2001–2011 to assess the production potential of Cenchrus ciliaris L., Lasiurus sindicus Henr. and Vigna unguiculata L. (cowpea) sown in strips with Colophospermum mopane Kirk ex Benth. and Hardwickia binata Roxb. tree stands without and with fertilizer application. Results indicated that the plant growth and survival percentage of C. mopane was higher than that of H. binata. Growth of C. mopane plants was affected by different cropping systems and fertilizer treatments during the initial phase but later on the effect was not significant. Green and dry forage yields were influenced by the cropping systems, i.e., 2.09 t ha−1 with L. sindicus followed by 1.9 t ha−1 dry forage yield in a sole strip of C. ciliaris, which was significantly higher than the strip cropping of cowpea with respective grasses. However, the sustainable yield index was higher with C. ciliaris (0.52) followed by L. sindicus (0.38). The average data revealed that the protein yield was higher in L. sindicus + cowpea and C. ciliaris + cowpea inter-cropping as compared to the respective sole strip of Cenchrus ciliaris and L. sindicus. Application of 40 kg N ha−1 increased dry fodder yields by 15 % over the control, and crude protein also increased by 22.37 %. Water use efficiency of grasses increased with nitrogen application. Maximum water use efficiency (9.8 kg dry matter ha−1 mm−1) was recorded in L. sindicus with 40 kg N ha−1 mm−1 application followed by C. ciliaris (8.8 kg dry matter ha−1 mm−1). The system productivity varied with different tree species and inter-cropping. Among tree species, the system productivity was higher with H. binata than with C. mopane. Leaves of H. binata were more palatable and preferred by goats than C. mopane. For obtaining higher productivity of quality fodder, inter-cropping of grasses with legumes in association with H. binata appears to be a highly suitable proposition for a silvi-pastoral system in an arid environment.

AVALIAÇÃO DO USO DE REGRESSÃO E REDE NEURAL ARTIFICIAL PARA MODELAGEM DO AFILAMENTO DO FUSTE DE EUCALIPTO EM SISTEMA SILVIPASTORIL

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of using an artificial neural network (ANN) to estimate the stem taper of eucalypt trees in a silvopastoral system composed with two spatial arrangements. The data used were collected out of 35 sample-trees scaled in a silvipastoral system with spatial arrangements of 12 m x 4 m and 12 m x 2 m. The taper model proposed by Garay was fitted for each spatial arrangement. Also, the ANN with Multilayer Perceptron configuration, using the spatial arrangement as a categorical variable, was trained. The others input variables for the ANN were the diameter at breast height 1.30 m height, total height, height of each section and the corresponding diameters. The accuracy of the methods was evaluated using the Root Mean-square Error, the correlation between observed and estimated diameters, dispersion of percentage errors and the mean absolut deviaton. The ANN achieved a similar performance compared to the two functions of tapering, proving to be an appropriate methodology for small eucalyptus plantations in silvopastoral system, where there may be restrictions for logging.

Performance and quality of wood in a clone of Eucalyptus in monoculture and silvipastoral system

DESEMPENHO E QUALIDADE DA MADEIRA DE UM CLONE DE EUCALIPTO EM MONOCULTIVO E SISTEMA SILVIPASTORIL Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar e comparar o desempenho e as variacoes na qualidade da madeirade arvores de eucalipto implantadas em sistema silvipastoril e em monocultivo. Os dados foram coletados em 13 arvores amostras aos 36 meses de idade, selecionadas em funcao do intervalo de confianca da media dos diâmetros a altura do peito (DAP), e da posicao das arvores na faixa de plantio no sistema silvipastoril, com face de exposicao sul, norte e central. Foram avaliadas as variaveis DAP, altura total e altura comercial, volume e conicidade do tronco, densidade basica e deslocamento da medula. Concluiu-se que no sistema silvipastoril as arvores apresentaram maior DAP, menor altura total e maior conicidade do tronco que no monocultivo. O DAP nao diferiu em relacao a posicao na faixa de plantio, porem as arvores com face de exposicao norte foram mais baixas e conicas. A densidade basica e o deslocamento da medula nao foram influenciados pelo sistema de cultivo. Palavras-chave: clone de hibrido Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla , sistemas integrados de producao, Mato Grosso. ABSTRACT This work was carried out with the purpose to evaluate and compare the performance and the variations in the quality of the wood of eucalyptus trees planted in silvopastoral system and in monoculture. Data were collected from 13 trees sampled at the age of 36 months, selected according to confidence interval of the mean diameter at breast height (DBH) and according to the position of the trees in the planting strip in the silvopastoral system, with south, north and central-facing exposure slopes. The variables DBH, total height and commercial height, volume and conicity of the trunk, basic density and displacement of the pith were evaluated. Results led to the conclusion that trees in the silvopastoral system had higher DBH, lower overall height and increased conicity of the trunk than in monocultures. DBH did not vary according to the position in the planting strip, but trees with north-facing exposure were lower and more conic. Basic density and displacement of the pith were not influenced by cropping system. Keywords : hybrid clone Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla , integrated production systems, Mato Grosso. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14583/2318-7670.v04n02a04

Bem-estar de vacas leiteiras em sistema silvipastoril

In addition to the growing demand for dairy products, recently the population has given greater importance to issues such as sustainability and animal welfare. Thus, producers are adapting to the demands of the consumer market through systems to produce sustainably and quality of life for animals, besides being economically efficient. The silvipastoral system allows combining forestry and livestock activities, and so increasing production efficiency. Among the main benefits of this production system are soil conservation and water resources, the promotion of carbon sequestration and increased biodiversity. In addition, animals raised in this system have a lower risk of thermal stress due to shadow arising from afforestation, favoring animal welfare. Therefore, the silvipastoral system represents a suitable alternative to the production of dairy cattle, once lactating cows need ideal climatic conditions to express their genetic potential, resulting in high production performance. In this way, this study aims to gain a better understanding on the establishment of dairy cattle in silvipastoral system and the influence on their welfare.

Sistema silvipastoril como alternativa de uso da terra

Now two great slopes are being thoroughly spread, these concern the increase of the world demand for victuals especially for protein of animal origin and another about the environmental preservation, they put, these present a complication factor that is related to great demand for wood, doing with that there is an increase of the illegal deforestation, with substitution of the forest areas for pasture that will serve as food for the animals. Before this scenery, the silvipastoral systems that it is a modality of agroforestry system that refers to the production techniques in which become complete the animals, the trees and the pastures in a same area appeared. The use of those systems can be beneficial when applied in a correct way, however your use form was during years done in a mistaken way, what provoked a decrease of the use of these systems. With that, this revision has for objective to characterize the components and to do a classification of the silvipastoral systems so that this can have a better understanding of your use.

Production potential of congosignal grass (Brachiaria rosensis) in silvi-pastoral system in North East India

A field experiment was conducted during 2009–12 at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya to study the performance of congosignal grass (Brachiaria rosensis L) under silvi-pastoral based agroforestry system in mid hill altitude of North East India. Congosignal grass was planted in open as well as intercrop with Simingtonia populanea and fertilized with 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha. The study showed that growth attributes and yield of congosignal was reduced under tee canopy, while crude protein content was 5.35 % higher under tree canopy. Dry fodder production was significantly higher in open (119.55 q/ha) than under tree canopy (87.46 q/ha). The content and uptake of NPK by congosignal grass were higher in open area, while organic carbon and residual NPK status improved under tree canopy. Application of nitrogen at increased level improved plant height, no. of tillers and leaf:stem ratio. The green and dry biomass yield was significantly higher with 60 kg N/ha. The content and uptake as well as residual NPK were significantly improved with 60 kg N/ha. The soil organic carbon improved under tree canopy than open. Higher gross and net return were recorded with application of 90 and 60 kg N/ha in open and tree canopy, respectively. The B:C ratio (3.08) was higher with 90 kg N/ha in open planting, while under tree canopy highest B:C ratio of 2.19 was recorded with 60 kg N/ha.

Agroforestry practices for physiological amelioration of salt affected soils

Agroforestry is a sustainable land use system act as an alternative form of biological reclamation in salt affected soils apart from sustainable production, continuous income, and regular employment along with food and nutrition security. In general, salt affected soils get ameliorated by tree species; however, following factors such as nature and type of tree species planted, growth habit, quantity and quality of litter production, planting density, nitrogen fixation, and different management practices are influenced. In the present study, various studies pertaining to soil reclamation in the salt affected soils are reviewed. Overall result showed that trees grown with crops, horticultural crops, pastures resulted in improvement of physical and chemical properties of soil under various agroforestry systems. For instance, reduction of soil pH, electrical conductivity, and exchangeable sodium percentage minimization of salt deposition in the upper layers of the soil, improvement of water permeability and water holding capacity, improvement of infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity with soil fertility, enhancement of cation exchange capacity, and other features are characteristics of soil as influenced by tree species, as well as through agroforestry practices. Various multipurpose tree species such as Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia nilotica, Albizia lebbeck, Terminalia arjuna, Casuarina equisetifolia, Prosopis cineraria, Prosopis juliflora; and fruit trees such as Zizyphus jujuba, Emblica officinalis, Syzygium cumini, and Tamarindus indica ameliorated the different salt affected soils in different agroforestry systems viz., agrisilvicultural system, silvipastoral system, multipurpose wood lot, and agrihorisilvicultural system. Thus, agroforestry system provides an alternative for restoring soil health and amelioration of salt affected soils for further yield improvement. Therefore, these species are suggested for reclamation of salt affected soil through agroforestry systems.

Assessment of Biological Efficiency of Silvipasture Systems

Field trials were conducted in agroforestry system involving multipurpose tree species and fodder crops to assess the biomass production in Acacia leucopholea , Ailanthus excelsa , Tectona grandis , Gmelina arborea, Erythrina indica, Pongamia glabra and Thespesia populenea based silvipasture system . The results revealed that A. leucopholea + Cenchrus Ciliaris gave the highest LER of 1.13. Under 15 years old A. excelsa plantations, fodder cow pea recorded the highest fodder yield of 7.08 t ha-1 with LER value of 0.84. Desmanthus virgatus was found to be a compatible fodder crop for teak plantations of 10 years old and guinea grass recorded the highest green fodder yield of 3.91 t ha-1under pungam based silvipasture system. In all the silvipastoral systems, irrespective of the tree component, grass fodder recorded the highest RYT followed by legume fodder.

Bio-amelioration of alkali soils through agroforestry systems in central Indo-Gangetic plains of India

A long-term field study was initiated during 1995 at Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Lucknow (26°47′58″ N and 80°46′24″ E) to analyze the effect of agroforestry systems on amelioration of alkali soils. Three agroforestry systems (pastoral, silvipastoral and silvicultural) were compared with the control where no agroforestry system was introduced. Tree-based silvicultural and silvipastoral systems were characterized by tree species Prosopis juliflora and Acacia nilotica along with grass species Leptochloa fusca, Panicum maximum, Trifolium alexandrium and Chloris gayana. Growth of ten-year-old Prosopis juliflora and Acacia nilotica planted in combination with grasses was significantly higher over the silviculture system with the same species. Tree biomass yields of P. juliflora (77.20 t·ha−1) and A. nilotica (63.20 t·ha−1) planted under silvipastoral system were significantly higher than the sole plantation of (64.50 t·ha−1 and 52.75 t·ha−1). Fodder yield under the pastoral system was significantly higher than the silvipastoral system during initial years but it was at par with that of silvipastoral systems after eight years of plantation. The microbial biomass carbon in the soils of silvipastoral systems was significantly higher than in soils under sole plantation of trees and control systems. The Prosopis-based silvipastoral system proved more effective in reducing soil pH, displacing Na+ from the exchange complex, increasing organic carbon and available N, P and K. Improvement in soil physical properties such as bulk density, porosity, soil moisture and infiltration rate was higher in the Prosopis-based silvipastoral system than in the silviculture system or control. On the basis of biomass production and improvement in soil health due to tree + grass systems, silvipastoral agroforestry system could be adopted for sustainable reclamation of highly alkali soils.