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ThesisItem Open Access COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIFFERENT BLACKGRAM VARIETIES UNDER BIJASAL (Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.) BASED AGRISILVICULTURE SYSTEM(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Mini Bharti; P.R. Oraon)The gains of agroforestry research till date are certainly impressive. There are good number of success stories where tree based cropping systems have yielded good results. Keeping above facts in view, the present investigation entitled “Comparative study of different Blackgram varieties under Bijasal (Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.) based Agrisilviculture System” was carried out at Agroforestry Research Field, RVC Campus, B.A.U. Kanke, Ranchi during kharif season 2022. Objectives of the research; evaluate the performance of the different varieties of Blackgram under Pterocarpus marsupium based agrisilviculture system, to study the growth performance of Pterocarpus marsupium and assess the soil fertility status before sowing and after harvest of Blackgram under Pterocarpus marsupium based agrisilviculture system. The field was laid out with Randomized Block Design (RBD) consisting of 4 replication and 9 treatments viz.T1 - Pterocarpus marsupium + Urd (Var. Birsa Urd-1), T2 - Pterocarpus marsupium + Urd (Var. Birsa Urd-2), T3 - Pterocarpus marsupium + Urd (Var. WBU-109), T4 - Pterocarpus marsupium + Urd (Var. Uttara), T5 - Sole Pterocarpus marsupium, T6 - Sole Birsa Urd-1, T7 - Sole Birsa Urd-2, T8 - Sole WBU-109 and T9 - Sole Uttara. Growth of Bijasal (Pterocarpus marsupium) was influenced positively with intervention of intercrops as it is seen in the growth parameters the increment in height (52.42 cm) of Pterocarpus marsupium was maximum and observed significantly superior in treatment combination T1 - Pterocarpus marsupium + Urd (Var. Birsa Urd-1) which was statistically at par with treatments T4and T2 with minimum value recorded in treatment T5. The maximum increment in collar diameter (0.69 cm) and number of branches (3.52) showed better results in T1 - Pterocarpus marsupium + Urd (Var. Birsa Urd-1). The maximum canopy spread (54.65 cm) and (55.17 cm) in EW and NS direction was achieved in treatment combination T1 Pterocarpus marsupium + Urd (Var. Birsa Urd-1). The Bijasal (Pterocarpus marsupium) with intercrop showed better results than sole plant. The yield parameters of black gram (Vigna mungo) crops were found maximum (13.76 q ha-1) in T6 - Sole Birsa Urd-1which was significantly higher than T9, T7, T1 and T4. Here crops growth was also influenced positively under woody component but yield attributes and yield of crops were found more in sole crop treatment than under woody component might be due to initial age of Bijasal (Pterocarpus marsupium) plants. The soil of intercropping showed significantly better than the sole crop. There was significant effect on soil pH (5.3), available nitrogen (356 kg ha-1) and available phosphorus (11.6 kg ha-1) was recorded maximum in treatment T1 - Pterocarpus marsupium + Urd (Var. Birsa Urd-1)with intercropping and were found in increasing order which is expected to further increase the growth of the system. Benefit cost ratio was maximum in T6 - Sole Birsa Urd-1 (2.76) and minimum was found in T3 - Pterocarpus marsupium + Urd (Var. WBU-109) (1.45). In future Intercrops will be a source of additional income to the growers rather keeping the interspace fallow. The financial benefits were more in the intercropping system as compare to the sole cropping systems, and it may reduce the risk of crop failure and compensate the return from the trees. So, based on the findings of my present investigation, Bijasal (Pterocarpus marsupium) in its initial age gives so much positive results under leguminous crops. It will surely beneficial through intercrop for long years. Black gram cultivation, strengthens the soil nutrients as black grams are known for imparting nitrogen content to soil and improve the soil fertility. Therefore, significant effects were seen on soil pH, available nitrogen and available phosphorus with intercropping and were found in increasing order which is expected to further increase the growth of the system. These results are only indicative and require further experimentation to derive more consistent and final conclusion.However, further studies are needed to screen various other cultivated crops of the region to find out compatible crops, which could be complementary in this system.Furthermore, there is a need to evolve Blackgram varieties suitable for inter cultivation in such a system as the trees matures and attains harvestable age. By combining suitable complementary variety along with tree farming the production level of both grain and timber can be sustained.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Comparative Growth and Yield performance of Bamboo species propagated through different modes(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Adity Isha Prachi Tirkey; B.C. OraonBamboo is a perennial plant belonging to the Poaceae (sometimes called Gramineae) family. In terms of taxonomy, it is considered as a giant grass. Bamboo is regarded as one of the most important non-timber forest products in terms of total production. Bamboo was used to produce a variety of household and light construction applications at a low cost, earning it the moniker "poor man's timber". Keeping above facts in view ,the present investigation entitled “Studies on Comparative Growth and Yield performance of Bamboo species propagated through different modes” was carried out at in Forest Conservation, Afforestation, Research and Evaluation at Garkhatanga, Namkum in Ranchi district between the months of July and December, 2022. Objective of the Research were: 1. To study the comparative growth and yield performance of different bamboo species grown in acidic soil 2. To study the comparative soil physical and chemical properties under bamboo species clumps 3. To study the comparative economics of different bamboo species. The experimental design used was Randomized Block Design (RBD) , consisting of 3 replication and 8 treatment viz. T1 –Bambusa vulgaris; T2- Melocana bacifera; T3- Bambusa bambos; T4- Dendrocalamus strictus; T5- Dendrocalamus longispathus; T6- Phyllostachys aureosulcata; T7- Dendrocalamus giganteus and T8-Bambusa balcooa. There were significant as well as non-significant differences for various growth and yield parameters. The maximum height increment after six month was noticed 7.14m in T1-Bambusa vulgaris. The order of increment % at 6 month interval of height of bamboo culms was found as T2T2 >T5>T3>T6>T8>T7. So, based on the above findings, The most effective result for the growth parameter i.e. height, diameter, no. of culm, new emerging shoot and volume (yield) was found best in T1- Bambusa vulgaris. The increment percentage (%) in term of height, length of internodes, basal area was found best in T4-Dendrocalamus strictus as compared to other bamboo species. The soil physical character i.e. soil pH, soil organic carbon content (%) was found best in T4-Dendrocalamus strictus, available nitrogen and available potassium was found best in T1-Bambusa vulgaris and available phosphorus was found best in T3-Bambusa bamboo. The economics of bamboo cultivation in term of net return and benefit cost ratio was observed best in T1-Bambusa vulgaris and T4-Dendrocalamus strictus. Bambusa vulgaris and Dendrocalamus strictus were found to be well suited to the Ranchi climate. Further research needs to be followed for more details and more no. of Bamboo species to be compatible to Ranchi climate. Implementation of these researches will be beneficial to uplift the rural economy of farmers and living standard of farmers.ThesisItem Open Access Site suitability analysis of Gmelina arborea Roxb. using Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System (GIS) in Ranchi district, Jharkhand(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Bharathi. H. J; A. K. ChakrabortyThe present investigation entitled “Site suitability mapping of Gmelina arborea Roxb. using Remote Sensing and GIS in Ranchi District, Jharkhand” were carried out using ArcGIS and QGIS with the help of JSAC, Ranchi in the study area during the year 2021-22 with the following objectives: i) To prepare land use/land cover map of Ranchi district using high-resolution satellite data. ii) Preparation of thematic geodata base and ancillary database for site suitability iii) Analysis for site suitability in GIS environment for G. arborea. Multi-criteria approach was used to conduct suitability mapping of G. arborea in Ranchi. Suitability mapping was carried out within the cultivable wasteland sites of Ranchi district, which was masked from the cultivable wasteland map of Ranchi district prepared using two seasons, viz., rabi (Jan–Mar) and kharif (Aug–Nov) Sentinel-II satellite data. Wasteland map of Ranchi was generated at the scale of 1: 50,000 using ArcGIS and QGIS software. Favorable environment conditions/ limitations i.e., slope, soil characteristics viz soil texture, drainage, depth, pH and climatic conditions viz temperature and rainfall were applied for identification of suitable areas for G. arborea plantation. Thematic and geodatabase of all the seven parameters were generated using ArcGIS and QGIS. All the layers, viz., soil, slope and ground water were masked using the cultivable wasteland layer as an input. All these layers were overlaid and integrated to derive a suitability map. For G. arborea plantations, Suitability classes were categorized as follows: (i) land units with no or only four slight limitations: highly suitable, (ii) land units with no more than four moderate limitations: moderately suitable, (iii) land units with more than four moderate limitations and/or one or more severe limitations: marginally suitable, (iv) land units with severe limitations: currently not suitable. Each parameter is assigned with the numbers one to four, highly suitable category of a parameter (e.g., soil texture, slope, groundwater etc.) in a particular area is assigned one followed by a moderately suitable parameter as two, marginally suitable parameter as three and not suitable category of the parameter as four. Area statistics were generated for different suitability classes of wasteland categories developed for Ranchi district. In Ranchi, wasteland occupied 6.49% (330.97 km2) of total geographical area (5097 km2). Forest scrub showed dominance and occupied 57% (188.05 km2) of total wasteland category followed by open scrub having 24% (78.37 km2), degraded land with 19% (61.77 km2) and brick kiln area occupies 1% (2.78 km2).In block-wise distribution of wasteland, Namkum has highest wasteland area of 39.76 km2 followed by Angara (37.60 km2), Tamar (29.98 km2) and the smallest area in Ratu (2.01 km2). Approximately 20% (64.31 km2) of the total cultivable wasteland in Ranchi was identified as highly suitable for G. arborea cultivation. Additionally, 16% (53 km2) of the area was categorized as moderately suitable. The largest portion of cultivable wasteland, measuring 128.95 km2, fell under the marginally suitable category, while the not suitable category covered an area of 25% (83.43 km2) of the total area. Within the notified forest area, a highly suitable area of 46.66 km2 was identified for G. arborea cultivation. Additionally, there was a moderately suitable area of 31.48 km2, a marginally suitable area of 76.79 km2, and a not suitable area of 43.67 km2.In the non-forest area of Ranchi, the suitability assessment identified an area of 17.65 km2 as highly suitable for G. arborea cultivation. Additionally, there was a moderately suitable area of 21.53 km2, a marginally suitable area of 52.16 km2, and a not suitable area of 39.76 km2.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Cycling in Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Gamhar) based Agroforestry System in Ranchi District of Jharkhand, India(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) ABHISHEK KUMAR; M. S. MalikThe present investigation entitled “Studies on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Cycling in Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Gamhar) based Agroforestry System in Ranchi District of Jharkhand, India” was conducted at Faculty of Forestry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi in order to evaluate the performances of two years aged Gamhar (Gmelina arborea) trees intercropped with leguminous crops viz. Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan var. UPAS-120), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata var. Swarn mukut) and Urad (Vigna mungo var. Birsa Urd-1) in agroforestry system as well as sole cropping during 2020-21 and 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in RBD with seven treatments viz. T1 (G. arborea + C. cajan), T2 (G. arborea + V. unguiculata), T3 (G. arborea + V. mungo), T4 (Sole G. arborea), T5 (Sole C. cajan), T6 (Sole V. unguiculata) and T7 (Sole V. mungo) replicated thrice. Growth parameters of trees and intercrops, yield attributes of intercrops, litterfall by Gamhar tree with leaf-litter decomposition pattern, changes in soil properties and carbon sequestration were assessed along with the economic analysis. Gamhar showed better incremental growth in terms of tree height (1.08 m), DBH (2.68 cm), collar diameter (2.87 cm), number of branches per tree (7.11), crown width (1.16 cm), crown length (0.81cm), leaf area index (0.40), stem volume (3.89 m3 ha-1) and tree biomass (5.57 t ha-1) when intercropped with pigeon pea (T1), which were respectively15.86, 15.02, 17.14, 21.54, 26.09, 20.15, 37.93, 39.25 and 26.98 percent higher than sole Gamhar (T4) in two years pooled data. The variation in growth and yield of intercrops between sole cropping and intercropping did not reveal any significant difference, however the values were on a higher side under sole cropping. At 90 DAS, the average maximum plant height (89.86 cm), no. of leaves plant-1 (117.62), no. of primary branches plant-1 (9.15), root length (49.58 cm), number of root nodules plant-1 (24.21), dry shoot biomass (44.12 g plant-1), dry root biomass (9.48 g plant-1), crop biomass at harvest (2.76 t ha-1), no. of pods plant-1 (59.37); and yield in terms of grain yield (5.37 q ha-1), stover yield (17.71 q ha-1), biological yield (23.08 q ha-1) were recorded in sole pigeon pea (T5) in two years pooled data. However, maximum average pod length (21.57 cm), pod diameter (6.40 mm), no. of seeds pod-1 (7.41) weight of seeds pod-1 (0.63 g) and 1000 seeds weight (85.02g) at 90 DAS were observed in sole cowpea (T6) in the pooled data. Total average annual litterfall by Gamhar tree was 1326 kg ha-1yr-1, of which maximum observed in February (480 kg ha-1yr-1) in pooled data. The average annual nutrient return through litterfall was maximum under Gamhar + pigeon pea (T1) wrt. total nitrogen (20.31 kg ha-1yr-1), total potassium (15.17 kg ha-1yr-1) and total phosphorus (1.96 kg ha-1yr-1). The faster rate of leaf litter decomposition was observed in sole Gamhar (T4), with highest average value of annual decay constant, k (3.62) and lowest value of half-life period, t0.5 (3.30 months) in two years pooled data. Soil chemical parameters viz. pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available N, P and K and soluble Ca and Mg were shown better improvement under agroforestry. The values of all other parameters, except soil pH, had shown a decreasing trend with increase in soil depth. After second year of crop harvest, maximum soil EC (0.24 dSm-1), organic carbon (0.53%), available N (263.33 kg ha- 1), available P (26.51 kg ha-1), available K (285.67 kg ha-1), soluble Ca (379.28 kg ha- 1) and soluble Mg (130.28 kg ha-1) in 0-15 cm soil depth and maximum soil pH (6.43) in 30-45 cm soil depth were recorded in Gamhar + pigeon pea (T1), as compared to their initial values of 0.18 dS m-1, 0.45%, 222.17 kg ha-1, 20.57 kg ha-1, 256.18 kg ha-1, 341.29 kg ha-1, 116.36 kg ha-1 and 6.25 respectively, during 2021-22. Gamhar trees showed maximum average annual carbon sequestration (2.62 t ha-1yr-1), CO2 sequestration (9.60 t ha-1 yr-1), carbon credit (9.60) and carbon offset price (Rs. 2975 ha-1yr-1) under intercropping with pigeon pea (T1) in pooled data, and the percent gain over sole Gamhar (T4) was 26.98%. The total average annual carbon sequestration (3.82 t ha-1yr-1), CO2 sequestration (14.01 t ha-1yr-1), carbon credit (14.04) and carbon offset price (Rs. 4,344 ha-1yr-1) of the system (trees + intercrops) were also found maximum for Gamhar + pigeon pea (T1) system in pooled data. Economic analysis revealed that the system fetches higher economic worth in second year due to better tree growth and intercrop yield. The highest average annual gross return (Rs. 74,846 ha-1yr-1), net return (Rs. 48,029 ha-1yr-1), land equivalent ratio (2.35) and combined net present value (Rs. 82,912 ha-1) of the system were estimated for Gamhar + pigeon pea (T1) in the two years pooled data. However, maximum average benefit cost ratio (3.32) and hence, maximum internal rate of return (104.07%) was obtained in sole Gamhar (T4) due to low cost of only tree cultivation. Thus, the study indicated that Gamhar based agroforestry system with leguminous intercrops mainly pigeon pea not only enhance the growth rate of Gamhar, but also maximize crop yield, nutritional status of the soil and carbon sequestration potential, besides augmenting net income. Hence, it can be a suitable and economically viable option for uplifting the livelihood status of farmers in the degraded and marginal lands of plateau region of Jharkhand, India.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Socio-economic Aspects vis-àvis Agroforestry Practices in Ormanjhi Block of Ranchi District(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Shalini Kumari; A.K. ChakrabortyThe present study entitled “Studies on Socio-economic Aspects vis-à-vis Agroforestry Practices in Ormanjhi block of Ranchi District” was carried out during the year 2021-2022 for viewing the significance of agroforestry for socio-economic upliftment of rural household through agroforestry interventions. Through multi-stage randomized selections, 80 households of Ormanjhi block were surveyed on the basis of agroforestry practices and socio-economic aspects. The data were collected by personal interviews of the respondents through a structured interview schedule. Data on existing agroforestry practices were collected through field visit. Demographic details of the villages comprising details of the household’s family structure, age profile, land holding size, occupational profile, cropping pattern, monthly income from vegetables, and total annual income of respondents and willingness of farmers to grow trees on their farm in future were obtained and analyzed. Majority of respondents in the study area were of female population (51.18%) more than male population (48.82%). Maximum age class 30-40yrs (41.25%) followed by age class 40-50yrs (28.75%). Maximum 60% of respondent’s belong to small size family followed by 28% in medium size family. Most of them belong to Schedule tribe (65%) followed by 32.5% in backward caste. 50% respondents were observed as kuttcha house and 26.25% were mixed house type. Descending literacy status was found in order as primary to graduation, Matric (25%)>Intermediate (23.75)> Elementary (18.75)> Illiterate (17.5%)> Graduation (15%). Almost 56.25% households in the study area were engaged in farming which was the main source of livelihood. Further, 32.50% households were engaged in labor work. Maximum 71.25% of households having below 1 hectare land holding status in Ormanjhi block followed by 15% households having 1-2 hectare land. Agriculture (50%), Agroforestry (20%) and Agriculture with Horticulture having (18.75%) are the main land uses practices. Monthly income observed from vegetables Rs.2000-5000 (31.25%) of households followed by Rs.10000-20000(28.75%). Existing agroforestry practices by the respondents were trees on homesteads which is practiced by the maximum household, trees on fields bunds, silvipasture, silvihorticulture and trees scattered in agricultural fields (in between crops). Teak, Karanj, Sisso, Gamhar were the forest tree species observed on farmers lands. The finding of the present study suggests to carefully consider Socio-Economic factors while designing agroforestry models for the study area. Further, the farmers should practice fruit treebased agroforestry system such as, agri-horti-silviculture system, mixed farming (production of food, fodder, fuel on a small piece of land). The existing agroforestry practices also need improvement by incorporating fruit, fodder and timber trees as per farmer choice.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of different leguminous crops on soil and growth under Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) based Agroforestry system(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Hemlata Gupta; J.K. Kerketta)The present investigation entitled “Effect of different leguminous crops on soil and growth under Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) based Agroforestry system” was carried out at nursery site of faculty of forestry, Birsa Agricultural University Kanke, Ranchi during April to June 2022 with objectives: (1) To study the growth behaviour of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (2) To study the yield of leguminous crops, and (3) To study the chemical properties of soil under irrigated condition. The experiment was laid out as per Randomized Block Design consisting of five treatments with four replications. The treatments were T1 (Jackfruit + Black gram), T2 (Jackfruit + Green gram), T3 (Jackfruit + Cowpea), T4 (Jackfruit + French bean) and T5 (Jackfruit sole). The experiment was conducted on 2-year-old Jackfruit (baramasi) plants with spacing 5m x 5m. The intercrops grown were black gram, green gram, cowpea and French bean. The various growth parameters for the of Jackfruit plants viz. plant height, collar diameter, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant were studied to access the effect of leguminous crops on growth of Jackfruit plant. Different yield attributes of all leguminous intercrops were recorded and analysed to find the yield. Various soil chemical properties were also recorded and analysed to access the effect of leguminous crops on soil under Jackfruit-based agroforestry system. As per the result of the experiment, growth parameters of jackfruit plants were positively affected by growing leguminous intercrops in the interspaces between the trees. All the growth parameters of jackfruit plants recorded and analysed were significant. Jackfruit + Cowpea (T3) recorded maximum plant height (148.1 cm), collar diameter (2.69 cm), number of branches (14.02) and number of leaves (333.0) followed by Jackfruit + Black gram (T1), Jackfruit + Green gram(T2), and Jackfruit + French bean (T4). The minimum was recorded by Jackfruit sole (T5). Cowpea equivalent yield of all four leguminous intercrops varied significantly. The maximum (134.46 q ha-1 ) cowpea equivalent yield was recorded for Jackfruit + Cowpea (T3) which was significantly higher than Jackfruit + French bean (T4), Jackfruit + Green gram (T2) and Jackfruit + Black gram (T1). Soil chemical properties viz. soil pH (6.075), organic carbon (0.395%), available nitrogen (241.0 kg ha-1 ), available phosphorus (72.0 kg ha-1 ) and available potassium (168.0 kg ha-1 ) were also found significant with Jackfruit + Cowpea (T3) recorded maximum and Jackfruit sole (T5) recorded minimum. Leguminous intercrops have positive effect on growth of jackfruit plants during establishment period. Cowpea had the best effect on growth jackfruit plants. Leguminous intercrops add to the fertility of soil by enhancing the soil health.Among the leguminous intercrops taken for study Cowpea had the best effect on soil and growth of Jackfruit plants and also in terms of yield, cowpea showed the best result therefore,Cowpea can be taken as intercrop in Jackfruit-based agroforestry system.ThesisItem Open Access SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES IN EASTERN REGION OF WEST SINGHBHUM DISTRICT, JHARKHAND(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Tanu Shree Lakra; M.S. MalikThe present study entitled “Socio-economic analysis of Agroforestry practices in Eastern region of West Singhbhum District, Jharkhand” was conducted with 320 randomly selected respondents in its four blocks during the year 2018-19. The selected blocks were Jaggnathpur, Khuntpani, Manjhari and Tonto. From each block 4 villages were selected and from each village, 20 respondents were selected by adopting random sampling procedure. Thus, the total sample consisted of 320 respondents for the study. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect the data from the respondents by personal interview method. Data were tabulated and analyzed by using statistical techniques like chi-square test, percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlation analysis, wherever suitable. Majority of farmers (60.93%) belonged to middle age group (35 to 50 years), (17.81%) of respondents were illiterates and (37.18%) had matric level education. The male respondents (83.43%) were dominant. Among the caste profile, (85.31%) are Schedule tribe followed by (9.37%) Schedule caste in the study area. Majority of respondents (88. 75%) belonged to nuclear family. The medium sizes of family were 68.43% followed by small family size i.e., 24.68%. 86.25% of the respondents had self-owned farm type. The majority of respondent had small size of land (87.18%). 87.81% had highest material status and 71.56% of farmers had medium farm power status (country plough). The annual income had highest through agriculture production (71.88%), followed by (15.93%) through agroforestry. About 33.75% of farmers had medium scientific orientation. The other motivation of respondents towards other factors were as follows; economic motivation (30.63%), achievement motivation (28.44%), risk orientation (67.81%) and credit orientation (73.75%). Almost 44.38% of farmers had high social participation and 40.31% had low mass media participation. The respondent had highest extension participation (70.63%), 19.38% had medium and 4.06% had low extension participation. About 45.93% of farmers had average perception followed by 17.50% and 5.93% had good and poor perception towards agroforestry. Considerable percentage of farmers (15.63%) had favorable attitude, while 14.37% had more and 8.75% had less favorable attitude towards agroforestry. Minority of farmers had adopted agroforestry, during the year 2018-19 and they are practicing agrisilvihorticultural system in half to one acre of cultivable land with the main purpose of meeting fuel wood demand. Majority were having mixed plantation depending on rainfall. Seedlings in the plantations were survived mainly due to timely planting of healthy seedlings and good maintenance by the farmers. The findings about the constraints faced by the farmers revealed that a large proportion of farmers (92.00%) had expressed no immediate returns from forest trees, lack of irrigation/water facility (88.00%), and lack of knowledge on package of practices (82.00%) as the major constraints. About 36.00% and 34.00% of farmers displeased with marketing facilities and less land holding respectively. Lack of interest in proper maintenance, animal menace and lack of extension services were viewed similarly as the main constraints by 21.00%, 19.00% and 16.00% of farmers respectively. A large majority of farmers suggested for supply of short duration tree species (93.00%) and irrigation facility (82.00%), while (67.00%) and (64.00%) of farmers suggested for adequate technical guidance and marketing facilities, respectively. A small proportion of farmers also suggested timely availability of seedlings (10.00%), provision to have bank loan facilities (14.00%) and compensation for the damage caused by wild animals (7.00%) for effective/full adoption of agroforestry. The study pointed out that there is a further scope for improvement in perception level as well as creating more favorable attitude of farmers towards agroforestry, extension functionaries and concerned organizations, which should intensify their efforts in increasing the perception level of farmers and also to build up the farmer’s attitude, more favorably towards agroforestry. In this regard, variables related to perception level and attitude could be advantageously manipulated in order to increase farmer’s perception as well as to mould their attitude in favorable manner. It was found that there was a big gap in full adoption of all recommended agroforestry practices. In order to bridge this, extension agency should further intensify the extension activities through use of appropriate extension teaching methods like demonstrations, training, panel discussion, meeting etc., to motivate them and adopt crucial practices such as fertilizer application, bio-fertilizer inoculation, pre-treatment of hard coated seeds, silvicultural management practices and tree harvesting techniques. Such educational approach would enable them to adopt recommended agroforestry practices and also helps to share the experiences and relevant information with fellow tribal farmers by having group discussion with the women in respective villages. The present study revealed that independent variables of the farmers namely education, agroforestry practices, annual income, scientific orientation, achievement motivation, economic motivation, risk orientation, credit orientation, social participation, mass media participation and extension participation had positive and significant association with dependent variables. Hence, the extension agency should give due consideration to these variables for better results of the developmental programmes in general and agroforestry programmes in particular. The study is a pioneering attempt to study the impact of agroforestry on farmers in a comprehensive way. Therefore, it is suggested that further investigation may be taken up in different region of the State with varying social, economic and ecological background. This will help to make valid and generalization regarding the impact of agroforestry, which could be of immense significance in replicating future development programmes. The independent variables included in the study could explain the variation in the level of perception, attitude and adoption, respectively. Hence, there is a need to identify and include more variables of personal, socio-economic, psychological and communication characteristics in the study area which influences the perception, attitude and adoption behavior of farmers.ThesisItem Open Access Growth, Yield and Quality Assessment of Trees and Fodder Crops under Agroforestry System in Ranchi District of Jharkhand(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Firoz Ahmad; M.S. MalikIntegration of trees with fodder crops under agroforestry systems in the humid and sub humid region is a strategy for year-round fodder production and insurance against fodder scarcity. During 2019-2021, a field trial entitled “Growth, Yield and Quality Assessment of Trees and Fodder Crops under Agroforestry System in Ranchi District of Jharkhand” was conducted using the fodder tree Melia azedarach (Bakain) along with the four fodder crops viz., Para grass, Hybrid Napier, Stylo and Charabadam at the research field of Agroforestry situated at the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry campus, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) involving nine treatment combinations replicated thrice. The treatments comprised of Bakain + Stylo, Bakain + Charabadam, Bakain + Para grass, Bakain + Hybrid Napier, sole Bakain, sole Stylo, sole Charabadam, sole Para grass and sole Hybrid Napier. Growth parameters of tree species (Bakain) i.e., diameter at breast height (cm), tree height (m), tree volume (m3/tree), crown diameter (m), number of branches (per tree), number of leaves (per branch), leaf area index; yield attributes of the tree species (Bakain) i.e., green leaf biomass (t/ha), dry leaf biomass (t/ha), fresh weight of the standing trees, dry weight of the standing trees as well as quality attributes of the tree (Bakain) and fodder crops i.e., crude protein content (CP%), crude fibre content (CF%), neutral detergent fibre (NDF%), acid detergent fibre (ADF%), ash content (AC%), ether extract (EE%) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE%), were recorded during both years of experimentation. The growth attributes of fodder crops i.e., plant population, number of branches, number of leaves per tillers and leaf area index; yield attributes of fodder crops i.e., green fodder yield (t/ha), dry fodder yield (t/ha), leaf weight (t/ha), stem weight (t/ha), leaf: stem ratio were observed. Rainfall use efficiency, palatability trial, carbon sequestration potential and economic analysis of the system were also taken into consideration. Results reflect that Bakain intercropped with Stylo recorded better growth with regard to tree height (10.46 m), DBH (17.59 cm), crown diameter (6.28 m), LAI (3.07), number of branches (571.33), fresh biomass (111.69 t/ha) and dry biomass (80.98 t/ha) produced, tree volume (0.253 m3), as well as leaf fodder quality in terms of CP content (12.89%), ADF (37.37%), AC (3.04%) and EE (4.80%), however, sole Bakain contains more CF (53.96%) and NDF (35.21%). Among different intercrops, Stylo recorded more tillers (295.83), crude protein content (15.74%), yield of crude protein (12.16 q/ha), rainwater productivity (0.28 q/ha/mm), carbon sequestration (140.31 t/ha), carbon credit (514.96), gross return (₹.1,86,705 /ha), net return (Rs.1,34,632 /ha) and LER (2.56). However, Hybrid Napier as sole or intercropped recorded highest LAI (4.08), GFY (869.23 q/ha), DFY (149.55 q/ha), NDF (60.62%), ADF (48.24%), CF (62.38%) and EE (5.69%) along with the highest Benefit: Cost Ratio (4.67). Improvement in soil chemical properties was better under intercrops than sole tree or grasses. Among the intercrops, Charabadam intercropped with Bakain has been found to put forth a better impact on soil improvement. The study concludes that the Bakain + Stylo based agroforestry system is viable in degraded or waste land with medium to low fertility for round-the-year production of quality fodder as well as climatic amelioration. This will certainly help improve fodder scarcity for the livestock and uplift the livelihood conditions of farmers in the plateau region of Jharkhand.ThesisItem Open Access “STUDIES ON GROWTH, YIELD AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF INTERCROPS IN ALLEYS OF HOARY PEA (Tephrosia candida DC.) AT RANCHI”(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Deepty Merlin Minz; Anil KumarThe present experiment was conducted on “Studies on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of intercrops in alleys of Hoary pea (Tephrosia candida DC) at Ranchi” laid out in 2020 in agroforestry field at Ranchi Veterinary College Farm campus at Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi. Keeping in view of the fact, the present investigation is being proposed with the objectives: 1. To study the growth and yield of intercrops in alleys of Tephrosia. 2. To estimate the nutrient uptake by different crops and change in physico chemical properties of soil. 3. To assess the economics of the practices. The plants were planted in the year 2018 at spacing 3mx3m.This experiment was laid for the purpose to understand the best combination for growth, yield and nutrient uptake of Tephrosia based intercropping with Linseed, Field Pea, Lentil, Mustard and Chickpea in Rabi in Randomized Block Design. Each treatment was replicated four times in the experimental plot. Soil samples were collected before sowing of intercrops and after harvest of intercrops for chemical analysis. In the present study, the different growth parameters of agricultural crop such as Crop height (cm), Number of branches per plant, Number of Pod / Siliqua / Capsule per branch, Number of seeds per Pod / Siliqua / Capsule, Seed test weight (g), Stover yield (kg ha-1) were taken during standing crops and yield attributing character such as Grain yield (qha-1), Biological yield (qha-1), Harvest index (%) were taken at the time of harvesting. The analysis of soil data such as Soil pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Organic carbon were taken in the soil laboratory using standard method. The present findings indicates that among agricultural crops maximum height was found in 138.67cm in T4 (Tephrosia + Mustard) followed by 64.59cm in T2 (Tephrosia + Field pea) and minimum height was found in 42.31cm in T3 (Tephrosia + Lentil). The maximum no. of branches per plants was found in 23.46 in T5 (Tephrosia + Mustard) followed by 15.85 in T2 (Tephrosia + Field pea) whereas maximum no. of pods/capsule/siliqua per plant was found in 96.75 in T4 (Tephrosia + Mustard) followed by 55.78 in T1(Tephrosia+Linseed). The seed test weight was found in 136.25 gm in T5(Tephrosia+Mustard) followed by 95.50 gm in T2(Tephrosia+Field pea) and least was found in 3.04 gm in T4 (Tephrosia + Mustard) whereas stover yield (q/ha) was found in 40.00 in T5 (Tephrosia + Mustard) followed by 37.05 in T2(Tephrosia+Field pea) and least was found in 25.31 in T1 (Tephrosia + Linseed). Significant effect of Tephrosia candida on stover yield was of agricultural crops was found. The increasing order of stover yield was found as T1>T4>T3>T2>T5. Agricultural crops yield (q/ha) was found in 18.38 in T5(Tephrosia+Chickpea) followed by 17.28 in T2(Tephrosia+Field pea) whereas harvest index (%) was found in 36.87% in T1(Tephrosia+Linseed) followed by 36.73% in T4(Tephrosia+Mustard) and minimum was found in 31.48% in T5(Tephrosia+Chickpea). The increasing order of height found as T5>T3>T2>T4>T1. Soil status after intercropping, the maximum OC% was found in 0.439 in T1 (Tephrosia + Linseed) followed by 0.386 in T2 (Tephrosia+Field pea). The maximum Nitrogen available was found to be 270.673h in T1(Tephrosia+Linseed) followed by 238.38h in T2 (Tephrosia + Field pea) and minimum was found in 207.013h in T4 (Tephrosia + Mustard). The maximum potassium available was found in 16.225h in T4 (Tephrosia + Mustard) followed by 15.233h in T3(Tephrosia+Lentil) and minimum was found in 11.55h in T1(Tephrosia+Linseed). The maximum potassium available after intercropping was found in 147.625h in T1(Tephrosia+Linseed) followed by 146.55h in T5 (Tephrosia + Chickpea) and minimum was found in 139.658h in T4 (Tephrosia + Mustard).
