Forage productivity and carbon storage from Hardwickia binata based silvopasture systems in semi-arid rainfed conditions

Abstract

A study was conducted from 2018 to 2022 on ten year old Hardwickia binata based silvopasture system at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi. The treatment consisted of establishment of three types of grasses viz. Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon fulvus and Panicum maximum in association with H. binata and three pruning intensities of H. binata viz. 30%, 45% and 60%. Establishment of C. fulvus in association with H. binata recorded significantly higher dry pasture yield (7.91- 8.93 t/ha) as compared to P. maximum (6.19-7.08 t/ha) and it was found at par with C. ciliaris (7.62-8.70 t/ha) during 1st to 4th years. In pruning, 60% canopy pruning of H. binata recorded significantly higher pasture yield (7.99, 8.40 and 8.99 t/ha) as compared to 30% canopy pruning (7.19, 7.27 and 7.38 t/ha) and 45% canopy pruning (7.67, 7.95 and 8.33 t/ha) during 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th years respectively. Organic carbon content (0.646%) was significantly increased with C. fulvus as compared to P. maximum (0.591%) and it was found at par with C. ciliaris (0.627%) in 4th year of study. Available nitrogen (260.60 kg/ha), phosphorus (9.36 kg/ha), potash (238.70 kg/ha) and organic carbon (0.663%) were also significantly increased with 30% canopy pruning of H. binata as compared to 60% canopy pruning in 4th year. recorded 79.90% higher carbon stock in 4 year of study (19.61 t/ha) as compared H. binata th to initial year. Total carbon stock of the system was maximum with C. fulvus in association with H. binata (39.29 and 50.73 t/ha) closely followed by C. ciliaris (38.51 and 50.30 t/ha) and P. maximum (36.20 and 46.68 t/ha) during 1^st and 4^th years respectively. Among pruning, 30% canopy pruning of recorded significantly H. binata higher total carbon stock of the system (50.82 t/ha) as compared to 60% canopy pruning (47.42 t/ha) during 4th year of study.