Growth and yield of Solanum khasianum in Pinus roxburghii forest based silvi-medicinal system in mid hills of Indian Himalaya

The study was carried out (a) to identify the changes in the soil organic carbon (SOC) content during the different phases of slash-and-burn cultivation—i.e., before slash-and-burn (Phase 1), after slash-and-burn (Phase 2), and after harvest (Phase 3); and (b) to determine the status of soil organic carbon content in the primary undisturbed forest (Site 1) and in the secondary forests, where slash-and-burn cultivation was taken up ~25 yr (Site 2), 15 yr (Site 3), and 5 yr back (Site 4). The undisturbed forest holds the largest amount of SOC % (5.25) followed by 25 yr (3.07), 5 yr (2.86), and 15 yr (2.27) fallow. The mean percentages of SOC in the 0- to 15-cm layer fell from 3.07 in Phase 1 to 2.53 and 2.37, respectively, in Phases 2 and 3; in the subsurface 15- to 30-cm layer, they fell from 1.95 to 1.62 and 1.63, respectively. Although, the SOC in Phase 3 still seems sufficient to support another round of cultivation, further studies are needed to examine crop yields in successive cultivation cyc...

Soil organic carbon status and sustainability of slash-and-burn cultivation in India

Strengthening Forest Fire Management in India

Mango the “King of fruits” is the most important fruit crop in India and the area under mango is the largest among fruit crops (2,516 thousand ha) with a production of around 19.69 million tonnes. India ranks first in mango production in the world contributing 41% of the total world production of mango. Among Indian states, with a total output of 4.3 million MT, Uttar Pradesh stands first as mango producing state. (Fig.1).This is followed by Telangana (2.73 million MT), Karnataka (1.75 million MT) and Bihar (1.36 million MT). Particularly in India all stages of mango fruit are used starting from immature to over ripe stages. Mango has specific problem of alternate bearing leading many times to low yields or no yield. Fig 1. Trends in mango production in India The tree is hardy in nature, can be grown in a variety of soils and requires comparatively low maintenance costs. But poor soil, nutrient and water management are the key factors for declining productivity of mango over the years. One of the main reasons for the low productivity is imbalances in nutrient application and inadequate fertilization. An appraisal on soil nutrient deficiencies and superimposing specific crop for district-wise crop based nutrient delineation maps is essential for preparing strategic guide in realizing potential yields of mango by formulating appropriate fertilization schedule. The status of soil fertility in mango growing areas under different agro-ecological regions of India and the district-wise crop based nutrient delineation maps of prime mango producing states of India along with nutrient deficiency symptoms in the plant and their management is presented here.

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Enhancing Mango Productivity through Sustainable Resource Management

The present study entitled “Analysis of existing agroforestry system in Angara Block, (Ranchi) Jharkhand was carried out at Angara block of Ranchi district of Jharkhand, India 2016-17. By adopting multi-stage random a total of four panchayats Getalsud, Nawagarh, Haratuand Bisa, eight villages and 120 households were selected for data collection related to agroforestry practice. The present study was designed considering the following objectives: 1. Survey and documentation of the existing Agroforestry system in the selected block. 2. Study the influence of socio-economic trait on adoption of Agroforestry practice and soil organic carbon content of various plots. 3. Find out the constraints in adoption of Agroforestry practice Ex-post facto research design was adopted for this study. The data were collected by personal interview of the respondents through a structured interview schedule and soil sample was collected from the field and soil organic carbon analysis was done. Considering the objectives of study adoption of agroforestry practice was considered as dependent variables. Independent variables that were supposed to influence the dependent variables were size of household, farm holding, education, annual income etc. and data was gathered by question survey. The statistical method used to analyze the data of investigation include percentage, mean, standard deviation and correlation test.  Perception of farmers in agroforestry helped in analyzing that almost one third of population doesn’t understand the basic definition of agroforestry. Very few farmers were aware about various agroforestry models though few excellent agroforestry models of intercropping were found. Majority of farmers, i.e. 51% of them had adopted Homestead agroforestry. Agrihorticulture was adopted by 19% of the selected population. Agrisilviculture was adopted by 20% of selected population. Apart from this silvipastoral was adopted by 8.5% of population. Silvihorticultre model was seen negligible in the selected village. Gamhar was the most dominating species after bamboo. Out of 100% population in 83% household bamboo was found. The details of the association between independent variables and extent of adoption of agroforestry practices by farmers results showed that out of thirteen independent variables only five factors are significantly associated with adoption of agroforestry and they are education, social participation, Mass media participation, cosmopolitans and external participation. The soil organic carbon ranged from 0.49 0.75.It was gathered by questionnaire that large sample size farmers were practicing organic farming and there was significant use or organic manure over chemical fertilizers in the field. Agricultural crop field had carbon range from 0.49 -0.70 whereas in fields where agroforestry was practiced in scientific organized manner had organic content to the maximum of 0.75 . Soil organic sequestrated kg/ha was found at the range of 98-150 kg.ha.35 farmers reported to have soil organic carbon sequestrated around 120-150 kg /ha. Thus agroforestry contributed a lot in sequestrating soil organic carbon.Only 36.67% of sample constituted the category of farmers who did organized agroforestry adoption. The study also reveals that 66.67% of population was highly motivated for agroforestry adoption whereas 40% of population belonged to high risk orientation category Most of the farmers had medium level management orientation knowledge. It indicated that there is more work to be done in this area to improve farmer’s management skills. 50% of farmers were self-motivated to adopt agroforestry interventions which were supported mainly by various NGOs functional in that area. 82% of farmers had adopted scattered/ Random planting patern followed by 65% planting along field borders.Least practiced pattern of plannting was silvipasture practices.Situational constraint was more dominant overall which consisted of about 42% in proving as hindrance in adoption of agroforestry. Situational constraints here were mainly uncontrolled grazing by the livestock, lack of proper irrigation facility, lack of proper market and smaller landholding by the farmers. Economical constraint here consisted of about 30% which mainly included lack of money to gather various facilities like organic manure, quality planting material and equipment and machines like tractors, sieve, driller etc. Technical constraint here constitutes to about 28% which mainly included lack of regular training regarding the various agroforestry intervention. The finding of the study concludes that there is need to promote organized agroforestry system in the region. It is important to work on socio economic significant factors which affect agroforestry adoption in such a way that maximum agroforestry adoption is done in the region. It will help the farmers in enhancing their socio-economic condition. Policy and support by government is required so that the farmers are equipped with basic infrastructures like irrigation, land reform, quality planting material and training. The emphasis should be in resolving situational constraint like open grazing, and lack of proper market. Thus this study helped us in not only analyzing the existing agroforestry system in Angara block it also helped in understanding the perspective of agroforestry understood by farmers. This study not only helped in analyzing the socioeconomic factors that leads to adoption of agroforestry, it also helped in understanding the factors which acted as inhibition to farmers in adoption of agroforestry. ANALYSIS OF EXISTING AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM IN ANGARA BLOCK, (RANCHI) JHARKHAND Aarti Singh Registration No. – F/BAU/4774/2011 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FORESTRY DEPARTMENT OF SILVICULTURE & AGROFORESTRY

Analysis of existing agroforestry system in angara block, (ranchi) jharkhand

Forest fire is recognized as one of the major natural disaster, damaging huge forest and grassland areas worldwide. Fire can change plant composition, devastate biomass, alter soil physical and chemical properties and decrease nutrient pools. In recent years, Blue Pine ( Pinus wallichiana ) forests in South Kashmir are experiencing a heavy loss due to fire with respect to damage to undergrowth and disturbance in soil nutrient status. An assessment of damage in terms of ecological and economic attributes due to fire is deemed to be much. The frequency of fire is rising as biotic pressure on forest resources. This study demonstrates assessment of soil macro-nutrient alteration on sites on burnt with unburnt sites. The study sites are in South circle of Kashmir division in Jammu and Kashmir State of India. Our samples show 60% less soil carbon at 0-30 cm depth in burnt sites against their respective unburnt sites, Available soil nitrogen concentration was 35.28% lower on burnt sites, Available soil phosphorus was 38.89 % higher in burnt than unburnt sites and available soil potassium was 29.66 % higher on burnt sites in comparison to unburnt sites. Some implications of these results for forest managers are discussed. Organic carbon and nitrogen decreased in burnt areas while as potassium and phosphorus concentration witnesses an increase in burnt sites.

Effect of Forest Fire on Soil Nutrients in Blue Pine ( Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jackson) Ecosystems

Trees are known to maintain soil organic matter and nutrient cycling through the addition of litter and root residues into the soil. There is a large potential of sequestering carbon in soil and vegetation by adopting suitable agroforestry systems. The present investigation was conducted during January-June 2007 at Poanta valley of Himachal Pradesh, located at an elevation of 350 m amsl. Six agroforestry systems were selected viz. hortipastoral system (HP) (Mango + natural grasses), silvi-pastoral system (SP) ( Dalbergia sissoo+ natural grasses ), agri- silviculture system (AS) (Sal + wheat), horti-silvipastoral (HSP) (Mango+ Poplar + natural grasses), Pure Forest (F) (Sal), natural grass land (NG) (pure grasses). At 0-20 cm depth, soils under natural grassland was having higher bulk density (1.28g cm -3 ) among all the systems while lowest bulk density (1.16 g cm -3 ) was observed under forest. In 20-40 cm depth, the results also showed significant variation at 5% level of significance. Soil organic carbon (SOC) at the soil depth 0-20 cm was highest under forest (3.64 %) while silvi-pastoral system showed the lowest (1.30 %). In general, SOC pool in the 0-20 cm layer was quite higher than that of 20-40 cm layer. The total SOC pool for different Agroforestry system followed the decreasing order as PF (1373.7 Mg ha -1 ) > HSP (719.6 Mg ha -1 ) > AS (697.3 Mg ha -1 ) > NG (696.5 Mg ha -1 ) > HP (646 Mg ha -1 ) > SP (599.10 Mg ha -1 ).

V. R. R. Singh

Papers

Effect of Forest Fire on Soil Nutrients in Blue Pine ( Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jackson) Ecosystems

Soil Carbon Sequestration under Different Agroforestry Land Use Systems