Comparative productivity of Prosopis cineraria and Tecomella undulata based agroforestry systems in degraded lands of Indian Desert |
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| Authors: | G Singh |
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| Institution: | (1) Division of Forest Ecology, Arid Forest Research Institute, New Pali Road, Jodhpur, 342005, India |
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| Abstract: | Tree-crop interactions were monitored by measuring tree growth characters of Prosopis cineraria L. and Tecomella undulata L. and yields of Vigna radiata (L) in agroforestry systems in degraded lands of Indian Desert. Potential competition for resource between the trees and
associated crop was analyzed by measuring soil water contents, soil organic matters and NH4-N at different depths of soil layers i.e., 0–25 cm, 25–50 cm and 50–75 cm in the experimental plots. The plots size were
16 m × 18 m (D1), 20 m × 18 m (D2) and 32 m × 18 m (D3) with tree densities of 208, 138 and 104 trees·ha−1 after June 2002, respectively. Results showed that tree height increased by 3% to 7% during June 2002 to June 2004. Collar
diameter increased by 30% and 11% in D1, 23% and 19% in D2 and 18% and 36% in D3 plots, respectively, in P. cineraria and T. undulata in two years period. The increase in crown diameter was 9% to 18% in P. cineraria and 11% to 16% in T. undulata. Tree growth was relatively greater in 2002 than in 2003. Yield of V. radiata increased linearly from D1 to D3 plots. Lowest soil water content at 1 m distance from tree base indicated greater utilization of soil water within the tree
rooting zone. Concentrations of soil organic matters and NH4-N were the highest (p<0.05) in 0–25 cm soil layer. P. cineraria was more beneficial than T. undulata in improving soil conditions and increasing crop yield by 11.1% and thus more suitable for its integration in agricultural
land. The yield of agricultural crop increased when density of tree species was appropriate (i.e., optimum tree density),
though it varied with tree size and depended upon resource availability. The result indicated bio-economic benefits of optimum
density of P. cineraria and T. undulata over traditional practices of maintaining random trees in farming system in arid zones.
Biography: G. Singh (1961– ), male, Scientist E and Head, Division of Forest Ecology, Arid Forest Research Institute, New
Pali Road, Jodhpur-342005, India. |
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| Keywords: | arid region crop yield land productivity soil water and nutrients tree growth |
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