Effect of lopping shrubs and planting density on forage productivity, carbon storage, soil health and economics of three-tier silvopasture systems

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on eleven years old three-tier silvopasture systems under semi-arid conditions at Jhansi, Indiato study the effect of lopping intensity, shrub species and planting density on forage productivity, carbon storage, soil health andeconomic return of three-tier silvopasture systems. Ziziphus mauritiana recorded significantly higher top feed (3.56 and 4.48 t/ha) and fire wood yields (4.11 and 5.05 t/ha) in association with Hardwickia binata as compared to Ziziphus xylopyrus respectivelyduring 2nd and 3rd years of study. In lopping management, lopping of shrubs and H. binata at 70% intensity recorded significantlyhigher top feed (2.81, 3.57 and 4.33 t/ha) and fire wood yields (3.80, 4.25 and 4.88 t/ha) than lopping at 50% intensity during 1st,2nd and 3rd years respectively. Planting of H. binata and shrub species in alternate row at 6x6 m spacing in three-tier silvopasturesystem resulted in significantly higher dry forage yields of Cenchrus ciliaris (9.35, 9.76 and 10.03 t/ha) as compared to 6x4 m spacingand 4x4 m spacing during 1st, 2nd and 3rd years respectively. Establishment of three-tier silvopasture systems on degraded landrecorded improvement in available nutrients and organic carbon in 3rd year of the experiment than initial year. Lopping of shrubsand H. binata in three tier silvopasture system at 70% intensity utilized by mixed herd of sheep and goats grazing at the rateof 3 ACU/ha recorded higher net return (INR 120689/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.65) as compared to lopping at 50% intensity.