Economics and yield performance of some short duration fruit and medicinal crops under agrisilvicultural system in rainfed uplands of Odisha

A field experiment was conducted during 2011-12 in an agrisilvicultural system consisting of two silvicultural species viz. Acacia mangium (mangium) and Gmelina arborea (gamhar) planted in 2000 at a spacing of 8m x 2m and four agricultural crops viz. Ananas comosus (pineapple), Aloe vera (aloevera), Andrographis paniculata(kalmegh) and Curcuma amada (mangoginger) were raised in the 1st week of July, 2011.The maximum volume increment were achieved by mangium with pineapple (16.53 m3/ha). Pineapple also registered the maximum fruit yield of 9981Kgha-1 under mangium and minimum under gamhar (9106 Kgha-1). The fresh leave yield of aloevera (8635Kg ha-1) was maximum under mangium which is statistically at par with gamhar. However, kalmegh recorded maximum dry plant yield of 1239 Kgha-1 under open condition followed by 1072 Kgha-1 under gamhar and 823 Kgha-1 under mangium. Similarly, mangoginger exhibited maximum rhizome yield of 3300 Kgha-1 under open condition followed by 1979 Kgha-1 under gamhar and 1597 Kgha-1 under mangium. The trend of crop yield under both the trees and open condition was: Pineapple >Aloevera>Mangoginger>Kalmegh. A. mangium with pineapple based agrisilvicultural system recorded the highest gross return, net return and BCR as compared to other agrisilvicultural systems and sole crops

Growth and yield of Vigna radiata L.) under Terminalia arjuna and Mitragyna parvifolia based agrisilvicultural system

The present investigation was carried out in an agrisilvicultural system with treatments involving silvicultural component of 20 years old Terminalia arjuna Bedd. (Arjun) and Mitragyna parvifolia Korth (Kalam) intercropped with agricultural component of four varieties of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) viz. Pusa Vishal, GM-3, GM-4 and K-851. All the varieties of green gram were compared for growth and yield parameters like plant height (cm), number of leaves, number of branches per plant, total grain yield per plant as well as per plot at harvestablestage under Arjuna and Kalam trees. All the varieties of green gram performed superior in terms of number of leaves, numbers of branches, grain yield (per plant and per plot basis) under open condition as compared to crops under Arjuna and Kalam. However, only the plant height was found to be highest under Arjun, followed by Kalam trees. Among all the varieties tested, K-851 variety showed superiority for number of leaves (12.31) and number of branches per plant (3.96) and grain yield (2.66 gm per plant and 0.80 kg per plot) as compared to other varieties (at P=0.05). Therefore, this variety is suggested to grow in south Gujarat condition. Further, comparatively lower yield of crop under tree cover could be due to shade effect, which can be managed by regular pruning of tree branches

Bioeconomic Evaluation of Agroforestry Practices in the Mountainous Region of Rima’a Valley, Yemen

Yemen encounters serious problems of scarcity of natural resources as well as soil erosion and degradation. Agroforestry system is being promoted as a more appropriate land use system than monocropping practices for smallholders worldwide. Unfortunately, detailed studies on the sustainability of different land use systems are limited and in this region land has started to deteriorate and many farmers turned to traditional agriculture. The general objective of the study was to evaluate the sustainability of agroforestry compared to monocropping systems in terms of soil properties and farmers’ perception. The first specific objective of this study was to determine the effects of agroforestry practices on soil properties and compare them with soil properties under monocropping system. The second objective was to simulate the changes over a 20-year period in soil total organic N, total organic P, and organic carbon, and depths which are the most important elements affecting soil productivity. The third objective was to develop a bioeconomic model to determine the role of agroforestry and other factors affecting soil conservation and net farm income. Three different methods were used to achieve the above objectives. First, 72 composite soil samples were collected from two sites (36 from site 1 and 36 from site 2) based on RCBD split plot design (6 systems X 3 replications X 2 depths). Soil N, P, K, organic carbon, and bulk density were determined. Second, the SCUAF model was used to predict the changes in soil properties over a 20-year simulation period. The output was then used in cost benefit analysis. Third, a questionnaire and direct interview with 162 agroforestry farmers and 83 non-agroforestry were conducted to collect data to develop the bio-economic model. The results showed that soil N, P, K and organic carbon were significantly higher under agroforestry practices mixed trees with coffee (S1), and Muringa (Cordia africana L.) with coffee (S2) at the two sites as compared to the Arabian jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) with maize (S3) and the monocropping systems (P<0.01). It was lowest under monocropping maize (S5) in both sites. Other physical soil properties were better under agroforestry practices (S1 and S2) than the monocropping maize (S5). The results of the SCUAF modeling illustrated that soil depth decline was negligible under agroforestry practices (S1 and S2) with soil loss less than 1000 kg/ha/yr even without using chemical fertilizers. The predicted decline of soil depth was highest under S5 followed by S3 which lost 43.1 % and 18 % of the top soil, respectively. Soil organic N and organic P are significantly higher under S1 and S2 systems even without using chemical fertilizers. It declined continuously under other systems at different rates during the simulation period. However adding 55 kg/ha/yr super phosphate (46 % P) and 271 kg/ha/yr urea (46 % N) to the systems (S1, S2, S4, and S6) resulted in maintaining soil fertility and led to sustaining the yield over 20 years of the simulation period. The results of cost benefit analysis showed that by using chemical fertilizers all systems were profitable at this level of the capital cost. The results also showed that Muringa coffee system (S2) and monocropping coffee (S4) obtained the highest net present value (NPV) (YR 1,171,077 USD 6163.6/ha) and (YR 1,117,965 USD 5884/ha), respectively. The lowest NPV (YR 55,116 USD 290.1/ha) was obtained under monocropping maize (S5). Consequently, the agroforestry system (S2) using fertilizers predicted the highest annualized net benefits (ANB) (YR 156,783 USD 825.2/ha/year), to the farmers and the lowest ANB (YR 7378 USD 38.8/ha/yr) was from monocropping maize (S5). The results of soil conservation model showed that educational level, number of terraces and channels maintained during the last ten years, geographical location, water efficiency, farmers’ experience, and agroforestry index are significantly influenced soil conservation in both models (OLS and SUR). The results of income regression model showed that the net income increased in output price and fixed inputs such as farm size, and decreased in input prices mainly wage of labor, and price of fodder in both models (OLS and SUR). The coefficients of the wage of labor (PLAB), fodder price (PFOD), are negative and significantly decreased the net income in both models as well. Farm size and price of cows sold are significantly affected the net farm income in models 1 and 2. The model shows that agroforestry can improve soil properties. The calculated values suggest that soil conservation generated productivity benefits in range of 4 to 9 percent of the current farm income. Ii is equivalent to about 23261 YR/yr (US$ 122.4) for an average area of 0.6 ha for each farmer. It can be concluded that agroforestry practices are more profitable and sustainable compared to monocropping systems

Soil Physico-Bio-Chemical Properties Under Poplar + Indian Mustard Inter Cropping System

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 2008-10 at Agroforestry Research Centre, Pantnagar, India with aim to examine the effect of different levels of recommended Nitrogen (N): Phosphorus (P): Potassium (K) (NPK) on soil physico-bio-chemical properties under varying poplar tree densities with mustard introcropping. Lower soil bulk density was recorded under 1000 trees/ha density compared to sole crop in both the year. Soil bulk density (BD) decreased underneath trees. However, soil pH, available N and K were not influenced by tree density in both the years. Electrical conductivity (EC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) increased underneath trees of either tree density compared to sole crop in both the years. Significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher available P was recorded under 1000 trees/ha density compared to 250 and 500 trees/ha densities including sole crop in 2008-09. Similarly, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) increased with increasing the tree density and significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher value was recorded under 1000 trees/ha density compared to sole crop and sparse density both the years except 2009-10, where 500 and 1000 trees/ha densities remain statistically at par. On the other hand, dehydrogenase activity (DA) was maximum under 500 trees/ha density compared to sole crop and 1000 trees/ha density in both the years. Among the fertility levels, the maximum SOC and available N were recorded with 75% compared to 50, 100 and 125% of recommended NPK in 2008-09, except available N with 100% of recommended NPK. But, available P was more with 100% of recommended NPK in 2008-09. Similarly, maximum SMBC were recorded with 75 % compared to higher doses of recommended NPK in both the years. Similarly, BD, EC, SOC, available N, P and K were recorded maximum and soil pH minimum in 0-15 cm soil layers compared deeper layers.Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council Vol.1 2015 pp.14-2

Pruning strategies for reducing crop suppression and producing high quality timber in smallholder agroforestry systems

In the Philippines, smallholder farmers have become major timber producers and trees planted on farms are an important source of raw materials and income for them and for the local timber industry. The smallholder mode of timber production has several advantages over traditional reforestation. The frequent and intensive tending operations (land cultivation, weeding and fertilization) for annual intercrops improve tree survival and growth. Intercropping reduces tree establishment and weeding costs because these are charged to annual crop production. The cropped alleys between tree lines function as effective firebreaks. However, the planting of timber trees in association with light-demanding annual crops often leads to a drastic suppression in crop production as a result of competition for both above- and below-ground resources. With few exceptions, the most common timber trees promoted for farm forestry have been reported to decrease yields of associated crops. Therefore, concerns have been raised over the sustainability and suitability of tree farming for resource-poor farmers. Branch pruning effectively reduces light interception by the tree canopy, and thus prolongs the number of years that annual crop production can be practiced. However, to minimize crop yield suppression, farmers often practice intensive pruning annually before planting annual crops. Intensive pruning may enhance crop yield, but it is incompatible with commercial timber production because the growth rate and quality of the overstorey timber trees are severely reduced. This paper reports the results of on-farm trials conducted to assess the effects of four pruning levels on maize grain yield and also on tree growth and form. Plots consisted of three rows of the timber tree Gmelina arborea planted at 1 x 10 m with maize planted in the 10 m alleys during seven cropping seasons. The study shows that high pruning intensity (retaining a live crown ratio of 20−30%) results in significantly higher maize grain yields but reduced tree diameter. In economic terms, these higher maize grain yields are not enough to compensate for the costs of pruning and the lower market value of smaller-diameter timber. Therefore, if crop production is a priority, tree farmers should plant timber species that are less competitive or plant trees at low densities in other farm niches away from crops

How are indigenous forest-dependent communities in Bangladesh drawing on local knowledge to adapt to climate change?

The effects of climate change are increasingly being felt by indigenous communities living in the forests of Bangladesh. Md. Habibur Rahman and Khurshed Alam recently conducted a study to explore perceptions of climate change and how communities are adapting to changing weather patterns. They write that although impressive range of strategies were observed, efforts were inadequate to ensure sustainable livelihoods and greater technical support and awareness raising programs are therefore urgently needed

Analisis Pola Agroforestri pada Kebun Petani

Peatland conditions fficted by fire eoch year in Central Kal,imantan, resulting in the disruption of the ecologicol balance. Agroforestry is an option on a solution to restore the function of peatlands. Through case study methodologt, the first phase includes the preparation of the necessary secondary data collection. The second stage is afield survey of data collection bioplrysical, socio-economic and agroforestry systems. The third stage is a data anolysis and presentation ofresearch results. Based on this research, there are three patterns of agroforestry conducted by people on peat, which is shaped agrisilvikultur, silvopasturo and agrosilvopsstura, where existing agroforestry pattern is the pattern of modern agroforestry. Financial analysis shows that the value of B/C ratio agrisilvikultur = 2.03, silvopastura B / C ratio = 2.68 and agrosilvopastura B/C ratio = 2.5. B /C ratio value is > l means agroforestry pattern is said to be finorrcially beneficial

Improving plantain (Musa spp. AAB) yields on smallholder farms in West and Central Africa

Plantain is an important staple in West and Central Africa, where it is predominantly grown by smallholder farmers. On-farm data are rare but yields are considered to be low. We collated actual yields in the region, reviewed regional plantain research published from 1976 to 2013, then estimated what yields would be attainable on smallholder farms if the proven, best-fit innovations were adopted. Mean actual yields reported ranged from 2.9 to 8.9 Mg ha?1 with a mean of 5.7 Mg ha?1 for False horn plantain and 4.5 to 10.2 Mg ha?1 with a mean of 7.8 Mg ha?1 for French plantain. Experiments found dealt with: cultural practices, particularly intercropping; abiotic factors such as fertiliser, mulch application and irrigation; biotic factors, predominantly sucker sanitation methods, but including three controlled yield loss studies on nematodes and black sigatoka; landrace comparisons and the introduction of improved cultivars, predominantly those exhibiting black sigatoka-tolerance. We conclude that intercropping should be retained according to farmer preference as there was no evidence of yield reductions for plantain. Boiling water treatment of suckers should be universally recommended. Inputs, whether mulch or K fertiliser up to 300 kg ha?1, should be applied as both reduced plant losses and increased bunch mass. With the highest yielding local landrace type, on-farm yields could be increased from 7.8 Mg ha?1 to 35.5 Mg ha?1 with purchased inputs or to 23.7 Mg ha?1 without purchased inputs

Sistemas Agroflorestais para a Mesorregião Sudoeste de Mato Grosso do Sul: um estudo propositivo.

bitstream/item/66228/1/31298.pdfOrganizado por: Alberto Feiden, Milton Parron Padovan, Adalgiza Inês Campolim, Aurélio Vinícius Borsato, Ivo de Sá Motta, João Batista Catto, Tércio Jacques Fehlauer