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Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan

Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, was established on 1st December, 1985 with the objective to promote education, research and extension education in the fields of Horticulture, Forestry and allied disciplines. Late Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister and the architect of Himachal Pradesh perceived the importance of Horticulture and Forestry to develop and improve the State economy which led to the establishment of this University. Its history lies in erstwhile Himachal Agricultural College, Solan, established in 1962 and affiliated to the Panjab University. It became one of the campuses of Agriculture Complex of Himachal Pradesh University on its formation in 1970. Consequent upon the establishment of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in 1978, this campus became its Horticulture Complex and finally in 1985, assumed the status of a State University, being the only University in the country engaged exclusively in teaching, research and extension in Horticulture and Forestry. The University is located at Nauni in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, 13 km from Solan on Solan-Rajgarh Road, at an elevation of 1300 metres above mean sea level. Solan town is situated on national highway (NH-22) and is well connected by train and bus services. The University has four constituent colleges, out of which, two are located at the main campus Nauni, one for horticulture and the other for forestry, having 9 and 7 departments, respectively. The third College i.e., College of Horticulture & Forestry is located at Neri in Hamirpur District on Nadaun-Hamirpur state highway, about 6 Km from Hamirpur town and is well connected with bus service. The college offers three Undergraduate Degree Programmes i.e. BSc (Hons.) Horticulture, BSc (Hons.) Forestry and B. Tech. Biotechnology and MSc degree programme in a few subjects. The fourth college i.e. College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag (Mandi) is located at Thunag District Mandi. This college offer BSc (Hons.) Horticulture and BSc (Hons.) Forestry degree programme. In addition, there are five Regional Research Stations, 12 Satellite Stations and five Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) situated in different zones of the State.

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2012 - 201626
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Subject: Agroforestry × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2012 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF TREE SPACING AND INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON PRODUCTIVITY OF PULSE CROPS IN POPULAR (POPULUS DELTOIDES BARTR.) BASED AGRISILVICULTURE SYSTEM
    (COLLEGE OF FORESTRY DR. YASHWANT SINGH PARMAR UNIVERSITY OF HORTICULTURE AND FORESTRY NAUNI, SOLAN, 2012) MOHAMMED, MUKTAR; KASHYAP, S. D
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of tree spacing and organic manures on growth and yield of vegetable crops under Melia composita Willd. based agroforestry system
    (YSPU, 2015) Bhat, Suhail Ahmad; Pant, K.S.
    The present investigations entitled “Effect of tree spacing and organic manures on growth and yield of vegetable crops under Melia composita Willd. based agrisilviculture system” was carried out at Agroforestry Research Farm, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh for two consecutive years, 2012 and 2013. The experiment was carried out on the existing 6 years old Melia composita Willd. based agroforestry system. The experiment was laid out by using Randomized Block Design (factorial) with seven different doses of organic manures, T1 FYM (5 t ha-1), T2 FYM (7.5 t ha-1), T3 FYM (10.5 t ha-1), T4 vermicompost (2.5 t ha-1), T5 vermicompost (3.5 t ha-1), T6 vermicompost (5 t ha-1), T7 control (no manure) with three replications and two distinct tree spacings viz. 8 m x 5 m and 8 m x 4 m under Melia and one open condition (without trees). The pooled result revealed that yield and growth performance of winter season vegetable crops was almost same for both spacings and open spacing. In summer season crop yield reduction upto 45% and 50% was observed in capsicum under tree spacings 8m x 5m and 8m x 4m respectively when compared to sole cropping. Similarly 70% and 74% fruit yield reduction was also observed in tomato under tree spacings 8m x 5m and 8m x 4m respectively as compared to sole cropping. The difference in crop yield during winter season was found to be negligible. Among pea crops, maximum pod yield was recorded in spacing 8m x 4m which was significantly at par with 8m x 5m whereas, minimum pod yield was recorded in sole crop. However in cauliflower, maximum curd yield was recorded in sole crop and minimum curd yield was recorded in tree spacing 8m x 4m which was, however, statistically at par with spacing 8m x 5m. On the other hand optimum use of organic manure benefited the intercrop by improving the growth of plants even in the presence of trees as compared to sole plots during both Kharif and Rabi crop season. In most of the cases vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 showed highest crop yield followed by Vermicompost @ 3.5 t/ha and FYM @ 10 t ha-1. On contrary with that, control plots (no manures) recorded minimum crop yield, during both the cropping seasons. Use of organic manures increased the growth of vegetable crops, higher doses of organic manures were found more effective in improving the growth of vegetable crops in presence and absence of Melia composita trees. The findings of present study suggested that cultivation of vegetable crops in combination with trees like Melia composita, especially during winter season may be recommended for better economic return from the agroforestry systems. However, during summer season decrease in growth and yield parameters of tomato and capsicum within the agroforestry system probably indicates intense competition for critical resources like water, nutrients, photo synthetically active radiation. Soil chemical properties like soil organic carbon, pH, EC and nutrients availability were improved under agroforestry system than sole crop system. The availability of nutrients like N, P, K were high where, higher doses of organic manures were applied in agroforestry system as well as in sole crop system. It also suggested that the agroforestry system have higher potential of producing biomass (woody and nonwoody) than monocropping system.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Carbon sequestration and effect of organic manures on yield and biomass production of medicinal and aromatic plants under kinnow based agroforestry system
    (YSPU, 2016) Yewale, Aalok Gulabrao; Pant, K.S.
    The present investigations entitled “Carbon sequestration and effect of organic manures on yield and biomass production of medicinal and aromatic plants under kinnow based agroforestry system” was conducted at the experimental field of Regional Horticultural Research Station, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Dhaulakuan, Sirmour (H.P.) during 2012 and 2013. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The study aimed at exploring the possibilities of successful cultivation of medicinal plants as intercrop under kinnow along with the different doses of organic manures used. The experiment comprised of 14treatments, which included three different doses of Vermicompost (2t/ha, 4t/ha, 6t/ha) and three different doses of FYM (15t/ha, 20t/ ha, 25t/ha) in combination with and without kinnow. The results revealed that MAPs can be grown successfully under agroforestry system. The use of Vermicompost and FYM at appropriate doses was found beneficial for minimizing competition for critical resources. Vermicompost @ 6t/ha was the most effective dose of organic manure, followed by FYM @ 25t/ha. It was observed that Ocimum sanctum, Andrographis paniculata and Withania somnifera could successfully be cultivated as intercrop under kinnow without any adverse impact on the performance and production ability of these MAPs. The use of organic manures further improves the production ability of intercrop by minimizing competition for critical resources. Performance of Ocimum sanctum, Andrographis paniculata and Withania somnifera were better under kinnow than control. The results revealed that intercropping of MAPs with kinnow also improved fruit yield as management practices and use of organic manures also benefited the tree growth under agroforestry system. Soil physical and chemical properties were found to be better in intercropping as compared to control (treeless area). The availability of nutrients like N, P, K, Ca and Mg were high where, higher doses of organic manures were applied in agroforestry system as well as in sole crop system. Soil pH and organic carbon were also improved in agroforestry system than sole crop system. In present study the biomass production was observed under kinnow based agroforestry system where, Ocimum sanctum was intercropped followed by kinnow + Andrographis paniculata and kinnow + Withanina somnifera. The carbon sequestration of kinnow based agroforestry system was recorded maximum than sole crop system. The bioeconomic appraisal of kinnow based agroforestry system has exhibited better benefit cost ratio as compared to sole crop system. Among three MAPs, Ocimum sanctum provides better returns in comparison to Andrographis paniculata and Withania somnifera. The findings of present study suggested that cultivation of these medicinal and aromatic plants in combination with fruit trees, especially kinnow may be recommended for better economic return from the agroforestry systems. Application of organic manures had significantly increased yield and growth performance of medicinal herbs intercropped under kinnow. Soil physico-chemical properties like soil organic carbon and nutrients availability were found to be improved under agroforestry system than sole crop system. It also suggested that the agroforestry system have higher potential of producing biomass (woody and non-woody) and have higher carbon sequestration potential than monocropping system.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Vegetation dynamics of chir pine forests along altitudinal gradient in Giri catchment of Himachal Pradesh
    (YSPU, 2013) Mahato, Debasis; Gupta, B.
    The present investigation entitled “Vegetation dynamics of Chir pine forests along altitudinal gradient in Giri catchment of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in Giri catchment, a component of Giri-Bata catchment in Himachal Pradesh located between 30o 33¢ 48² and 31o 16¢ 08² N latitude and 77o 02¢ 32² to 77o 38¢ 22² E longitude. This catchment is distributed in Shimla, Sirmaur and Solan districts of Himachal Pradesh and is comprised of 135 subwatersheds. The climatic condition of experimental sites ranges from tropical/sub-tropical through sub-humid to sub-temperate climate and clay to sandy soils. In each experimental site three sample plots of size 0.1 ha for trees, two plots of 10mx10m were marked to study shrubs and in each sample plot, 6 quadrates of 50cmx50cm were harvested to study herbs characteristics. Composition, density (plants/ha), basal area (m2/ha), biomass (q/ha), carbon stock (q/ha) of different vegetation layers and soil properties of grasslands and Chir pine forests for herb and shrub layers were analyzed in 42 experimental sites of 14 representative subwatersheds during 2010-2011. The data were analyzed by using factorial RBD, Duncan test, variability analysis through statistical techniques viz., measures of dispersion, Bertlett’s test of significance and TWINSPAN, whereas cluster analysis was carried out by CAP (Version 4.0) software. The floristic composition comprised of 4%, 5%, 7%, 21%, 25%, and 38% trees , sedges, legumes, grasses, shrubs and forbs respectively under Chir pine forest. However, grasslands consist of 7% sedges, 8% legumes, 25% grasses, 27% shrubs and 33% forbs. Herbage density (tillers/m2) in grasslands ranged form 926.65-1445.34, 851.32-1256.03 and 603.33-1128.01 for E1 (900-1300m), E2 (1300- 1700m) and E3 (1700-2100m) at different Silting Yield Index (SYI). The E1C1 (1295.58) reported significantly higher herbage density of grasslands than others. In Chir pine forests, the herbage density varied from 744.00 to 1279.34, 609.34 to 1086.65 and 420.68 to 827.99 for E1, E2 and E3, respectively at different SYI classes. The herbage density in Chir pine forests was significantly higher at E1C1 than other interactions. The shrub density varied from 1666.67 to 2866.67, 1300.00 to 2399.99 and 1466.67 to 2699.99 in grasslands, whereas, 2300.01 to 5066.67, 1466.67 to 4199.99 and 1400.01 to 3400.00 in Chir pine forests for E1, E2 and E3, respectively at different SYI classes. Herbage basal area (cm2/m2) varied from 40.10 to 56.01, 36.34 to 49.61, 25.21 to 45.93 in grasslands and 32.81 to 54.09, 28.27 to 49.39, 18.56 to 37.43 in Chir pine forest for E1, E2 and E3, respectively at different SYI classes. The shrub basal area (m2/ha) varied from 0.137 to 1.719, 0.136 to 0.685, 0.383 to 1.632 in grasslands and 0.240 to 2.338, 0.181 to 1.136, 0.299 to 2.223 in Chir pine forests for E1, E2, E3, respectively at different SYI classes. The C. montanus at E1 (IVI= 116.98) and E2 ( IVI=146.65), while, H. contortus, at E3 (IVI= 118.02) were dominant herbage species in grasslands. In Chir pine forests, dominant species was T. anathera with IVI 155.46, 186.77 and 180.68 at E1, E2 and E3, respectively. In grasslands the dominant shrub species at E1 was C. carandus, at E2 was M. africana while, at E3 was B. lycium. In Chir pine forests, M. africana at E1 and C. carandus at E2 while B. lycium at E3 were the dominant shrub species. The aboveground, belowground and total herbage biomass for were (28.44 to 46.13, 21.37 to 43.23, 14.75 to 41.80), (15.61 to 27.93, 11.11 to 27.87, 7.39 to 27.53) and (44.05 to 70.29, 32.48 to 68.17, 22.14 to 61.59) at E1, E2 and E3, respectively in grasslands. In Chir pine forests, the aboveground (23.25 to 44.07, 18.58 to 42.14, 18.02 to 37.75), belowground (11.96 to 22.01, 9.15 to 19.57, 7.95 to 17.70) and total herbage biomass (35.21 to 66.08, 27.73 to 61.33, 26.30 to 54.17) for E1, E2 and E3 were recorded. The shrub aboveground (4.621 to 9.884, 3.699 to 7.212, 3.741 to 9.302), belowground (0.969 to 3.184, 0.550 to 2.163, 0.757 to 2.197) and total (5.75 to 11.70, 4.59 to 8.83 and 4.56 to 11.50) biomass were recorded in grasslands for E1, E2 and E3. In Chir pine forests at E1, E2 and E3, shrub biomass for aboveground (9.295 to 19.810, 4.538 to 11.838, 5.469 to 18.018), belowground (1.151 to 3.972, 0.768 to 3.405, 0.940 to 3.125) and total (9.82 to 23.78, 6.11 to 14.16 and 6.71 to 21.14) were recorded. Average total biomass was highest at E2 (1399.04) as compared to E1 (1244.92) and E3 (1000.43). Total carbon stock (herb+shrub+soil) in grassland ranged from 308.69 to 520.16, 380.70 to 539.17, 429.75 to 550.27 for E1, E2 and E3, respectively. In Chir pine forests, the total carbon stock (herb+shrub+tree+soil) varied from 964.80 to 1263.58, 1138.69 to 1305.66, and 828.27 to 1170.01 for E1, E2 and E3, respectively at different SYI classes. The soil pH in grassland varied from 5.99 to 7.71, 6.03 to 7.56 and 6.17 to 7.68 whereas, in Chir pine forests 5.94 to 7.01, 5.91 to 6.93 and 6.23 to 6.84 at E1, E2 and E3, respectively. In grasslands, the bulk density was 1.06 to 1.22, 1.03 to 1.19 and 0.95 to 1.15, while, in Chir pine forests, 1.00 to 1.22, 0.96 to 1.12 and 0.93 to 1.05. In grassland SOC varied from 1.16 to 2.29, 1.52 to 2.47 and 1.81 to 2.75 whereas, at Chir pine forests it ranged from 1.68 to 2.48, 1.96 to 2.84 and 2.33 to 2.84 at E1, E2 and E3, respectively.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Carbon storage, soil enrichment potential and bio-economic appraisal of different land use systems in sub-montane and low hills sub-tropical zone-I of Himachal Pradesh
    (YSPU, 2014) Singh, Rahul; Bhardwaj, D.R.
    The present study entitled “Carbon storage, soil enrichment potential and bio-economic appraisal of different land use systems in sub-montane and low hills sub-tropical zone-I of Himachal Pradesh” were carried out during 2011-2012. The experimental sites were selected randomly in three district viz., Kangra, Solan and Sirmaur and stratified in two altitudinal ranges viz., A1 (365-635 m a.s.l) and A2 (636-914 m as.l). Eight land use systems viz., agriculture, horticulture, agrisilvicultural, silvopastoral, agrihorticulture, agrihortisilvicultural, forest and grassland were selected, which were common in both altitudinal ranges. The plot size 50×20 m for trees, 10×10 m for shrubs and 1×1 m for herbs and crops were used for enumeration of floral diversity, vegetation biomass and carbon stock. For soil analysis samples were collected at three different depths i.e. 0-20 cm, 21-40 cm and 41-100 cm and samples analysed for the bulk density, porosity, pH, CEC, OC, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, microbial count, microbial biomass and microbial activity. The data regarding economics of each land use systems were collected by personal interviews with the farmers of each village which were selected for study and the data related to forest, parameters were collected from Forest Corporation and divisional office of each forest range. The study revealed that herbage density and basal area was found to be maximum in agrihortisilviculture land use system (698.66 tillers m-2) and (305.39 cm2 m-2), respectively. Shannon Weiner index (H') of vegetation was found to be maximum (2.27) for forest land use. Among agroforestry systems, it was found to be maximum (2.19) in agrihortisilviculture system, whereas, Simpson Diversity Index displayed maximum value in horticulture system. The maximum value of aboveground biomass (184.75 t ha-1), belowground biomass (47.84 t ha-1) and total biomass (232.59 t ha-1) was recorded in forest land use system. Total biomass production of different land use systems followed the order: T6>T2>T5>T3>T4>T1>T8. Whereas, among the agroforestry systems maximum aboveground (66.46 t ha-1), belowground (20.84 t ha-1) and total biomass (86.48 t ha-1) was accumulated by agrihortisilviculture system. Similar trends were also seen in respect of biomass carbon density. Total carbon stock (vegetation + litter + soil) was maximum (197.43 t ha-1) in forest land use system, which was found to be about 2 times higher than agroforestry systems. Among agroforestry systems maximum (90.10 t ha-1) total carbon stock was found in agrihortisilviculture, which was found to be 2.45 %, 4.42%, 10.67% and 44.80% higher than agrihorticulture, silvopatoral, agrisilviculture and agriculture land use systems, respectively. A significant effect of altitudinal ranges also found on accumulated biomass and carbon density and both were found declined with increasing altitude. Physical, chemical and biological properties of soil were found to be better in tree based land use systems as compared to tree less systems. Soil pH was found to be slightly acidic to neutral in reaction. Soil organic carbon density was observed to be maximum (26.82 t ha-1) in the forest land use system. The major available nutrients viz., N, P and K were also significantly influenced by land use systems and altitudinal ranges. Significantly higher available N, P and K were 411.43 kg ha-1, 30.17 kg ha-1 and 142.02 kg ha-1 respectively, observed under forest land use system Among all agroforestry systems, silvopastoral showed higher available NPK, followed by agrisilviculture > agrihortisilviculture > agrihoticulture. Along the altitudinal range all available NPK declined with increasing altitudinal range. The microbial analysis was performed on different land use systems at both altitudinal ranges. The maximum microbial count, (164.50 × 105 cfu gm-1 soil) and microbial biomass carbon (506.63 MB-C μg/100 gm soil) were recorded in forest land use system. Among agroforestry systems, agrihortisilviculture system accounted higher microbial count and biomass carbon. Study revealed that maximum expenses were incur in the agrihorticulture (Rs 195746.39) system, followed by agriculture, agrisilviculture, agrihortisilviculture, horticulture and forest land use systems. Agrihortisilviculture systems displayed significantly higher gross return and net returns, (Rs 454,439.10) and (Rs 338945.00) respectively, than all other land use systems. Higher Benefit:Cost ratio was recorded for horticulture (5.34) than other land use systems and followed the trend: horticulture > silvopastoral > agrihortisilviculture > grassland > agrihorticulture > agrisilviculture > forest > agriculture.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    GIS based land use planning for watershed management
    (YSPU, 2012) Sharma, Navneet; Gupta, B.
    The present study was conducted in ‘Sd4e’ sub-watershed of Gambhar catchment located at 31 o 00’ to 31 o 03’N latitudes and 77 o 00’ to 77 o 06’E longitudes in Solan district of H.P. India with the aim to analyse its land use through GIS and assess phytosociological attributes, biomass and carbon stock of vegetation in forests/grasslands at different elevations during the years 2007 and 2008. The sub-watershed was delineated into three elevations a) E1 (850-1150m b) E 2 (1150 -1600m) and c) E 3 (1600m & above). There are 26 villages in the sub-watershed of which five are located at E1 , 20 at E 2 and 01 is located at E 3. Population density in the sub-watershed is 210 persons/km 2 and sex ratio is 988. Reclassified DEM of the sub-watershed revealed that 31.38% area is in elevation E 1 , 42.86% in elevation E 2 and 25.76% in elevation E3 . 80.97% area of the sub-watershed is under steep slope greater than 25 0 , 5.64% area is under moderate slope of 5-15 0 and 4% area is levelland with gentle slope of 0-5 0 . Hydrology model suggested that water flow accumulation is high in the villages like Garu, Kashmari, Chiyaman, Lachog and Nalkagaon whereas, moderate accumulation of water occurs in areas like, Damehar, Denwanda, Banota and Gandrori. NDVI maps indicated that the vegetation has increased in the area from 1998 to 2010. Land use change from 1998 and 2010 showed that areaunder dense and sparse forests have increased by 6.58%. Scrubland and grassland area has decreased by 2.49% and 3.54%. Infrastructure has increased by 4.75% whereas cultivated area has decreased by 6.62% while barren land marginally increased by 1.32%. The sub-watershed nurtures varioustypes of forests at different elevations. Nine forests viz., chir pine,mixed and khair forests at elevation E1 , chir pine, mixed and ban-oak forests at elevation E2 and ban oak, mixed and chir pine forests at elevation E 3 were selected for vegetation analysis. At each elevation one grassland site was also selected to compare its vegetation with forests. In all, 61 plant species in which 7 trees, 25 shrubs, 21 grasses, 2 sedges, 2 forbs and 4 legumes were recorded in the study sites. The density, basal area and biomass of herbage vegetation under different forests/grasslands at all the elevations increased gradually with the onset of rainfall in July and attained their peak values by August/September. The density, basal area and biomass of herbage vegetation under different forests/grasslands at all the elevations increased gradually with the onset of rainfall in July and attained their peak values by August/September. The peak density and basal area of herbage in grasslands ranged from 649.60 to 1347.90 tillers/m 2 and 29.99 to 65.70 cm 2 /m 2 while, in different forests it varied from 351.20 to 1005.30tillers/m 2 and 14.87 to 43.94 cm 2 /m 2 . Biomass of herbage in grassland vegetation fluctuated from 1.785 to 5.402 t/ha and under different forests it ranged from 0.637 to 4.657 t/ha. Total biomass (aboveground and belowground biomass of herbs + shrubs + trees) in forests/grasslands at elevation E 1 showed the precedence: chir pine forest > mixed forest > khair forest > grassland. At elevation E2 it was in the order: mixed forest > ban oak forest> chir pine forest > grassland and at elevation E 3 : ban oak forest > mixed forest > chir pine forest > grassland. Total biomass in forests ranged from 116.97 to 459.9 t/ha. Carbon stock accumulation in different forests/grasslands at elevation E1decreased in order: chir pine forest > mixed forest > khair forest > grassland, at elevation E 2 it was in the order: mixed forest > ban oak forest> chir pine forest > grassland and at elevation E 3 : ban oak forest > mixed forest > chir pine forest> grassland. Total carbon stock in forests (herbs + shrubs + trees) ranged from 56.40 to 224.67 t/ha. Grasslands at different elevations produced around 1/5 to 1/22 of the carbon stock in forests
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pattern, composition and vegetation dynamics of agroforestry systems in Giri catchment, Himachal Pradesh
    (YSPU, 2014) Singh, Matber; Gupta, B.
    The present investigation entitled “Pattern, composition and vegetation dynamics of agroforestry systems in Giri catchment, Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in Giri catchment in located between 30o 33 48 and 31o 16 08 N latitude and 77o 02 32 to 77o 38 22 E longitude in Himachal Pradesh. The climate in this area is sub-humid and sub-tropical in lower parts of the track lying in the Shivaliks and wet-temperate in the upper parts in north-west Himalaya. The mean annual precipitation is 1250 mm. Out of 135 sub-watersheds in Giri catchment, 13 sub-watersheds were selected for study and stratified into three elevations, six vegetation systems viz., agrisilviculture (S1), agrihorticulture (S2), agrihortisilviculture (S3), agrisilvihorticulture (S4), silvipasture (S5) and grasslands (S6) at each elevation were selected to study vegetation composition, phytosociology, biomass, carbon stock and their economic viability. The average family size of sampled households was 6.97 persons/household with average 86.28 % literacy. Average fodder and fuel wood consumption was 55.44 and 26.44 kg/household/day, respectively. Wheat, pea, mustard, barley and pea were rabi crops, whereas maize blackgram, rajmah, capsicum, tomato and beans were cereal crop of kharif season. Prominent tree components in agroforestry systems were Grewia, Toona, Morus, Celtis, Ficus and Bauhinia which were retained on the bunds of agriculture fields, whereas fruit trees of pear, apricot, peach and plum were planted at specified spacing in agriculture fields. In silvipasture systems record 88 genera with 93 species, whereas 86 genera with 93 species in grasslands. The number of species of grasses, sedges, forbs, legumes and shrubs in silvipasture systems were 20, 4, 31, 4 and 27, respectively, whereas in grasslands they were 22, 4, 36, 5 and 27, respectively. At elevation E1, in silvipasture and grasslands, density (tillers/m2) of herbage vegetation was highest than other elevations and their values ranged from 657.73 to 984.67 and 543.63 to 1250.67, respectively. Mean aboveground biomass of vegetation in different systems decreased significantly in the order: S5 (70.63 t ha-1) > S4 (63.13 t ha-1) > S3 (60.95 t ha-1) > S1 (48.63 t ha-1) > S2 (46.85 t ha-1) > S6 (3.13 t ha-1). The belowground and total biomass followed the trend of aboveground biomass. Total biomass of vegetation in different systems decreased significantly in the order: S5 (89.24 t ha-1) > S4 (81.98 t ha-1) > S3 (78.97 t ha-1) > S1 (63.13 t ha-1) > S2 (60.57 t ha-1) > S6 (4.93 t ha-1). The mean aboveground carbon was significantly higher (35.32 t C ha-1) in silvipasture than all other systems, whereas agrisilvihorticulture store maximum belowground biomass carbon (9.43 t ha-1) which was statistically at par with silvipasture system (S5). The total carbon stored by vegetation in systems was highest at elevation E3 (35.50 t C ha-1ha-1) and it decreased significantly with decrease in elevation. In different systems, total carbon stored in systems decreased significantly in the order: S5 (44.62 t C ha-1ha-1) > S4 (40.99 t C ha-1ha-1) > S3 (39.48 t C ha-1ha-1) >S1 (31.56 t C ha-1ha-1) >S2 (30.29 t C ha-1ha-1) > S6 (2.46 t C ha-1ha-1). Mean soil organic carbon (2.22 %) was highest in agrihorticulture (S2) followed by agrihortisilviculture (S3) and grassland (S6). Maximum soil carbon density (53.45 t ha-1) was recorded in grassland that was followed by agrihortisilviculture, agrihorticulture, agrisilvihorticulture, agrisilviculture with their respective values 52.57, 51.88 and 50.02 t C ha-1, respectively. The net returns from agroforestry systems decreased, though statistically insignificant, in the order agrisilviculture system (277415.00 Rs. ha-l yr-1) > agrisilvihorticulture system (270747.00 Rs. ha-l yr-1) > agrihortisilviculture (269033.00 Rs. ha-l yr-1) > agrihortisilviculture (225880.30 Rs. ha-l yr-1) systems. The benefit-cost ratio in silvipasture system was significantly higher (3.34) than all other systems and it decreased in the order: S6 (2.53) > S4 (2.38) > S3 (2.17) > S1 (2.10) > S1 (1.87).
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Carbon storage, soil enrichment potential and bio-economic appraisal of different land use systems in mid hill and sub-humid zone-II of Himachal Pradesh
    (YSPU, 2016) Rajput, Priyanka; Bhardwaj, D.R.
    The present investigations entitled “Carbon storage, soil enrichment potential and bio-economic appraisal of different land use systems in mid hill and sub-humid zone II of Himachal Pradesh” were carried out through experiments at different altitudinal gradient. These experiments were laid out in Randomized Block Design (Factorial). The present investigations were conducted to assess the biomass production, carbon stock, phytosociological study of vegetation and economic returns from the different land use systems along an altitudinal gradient and to identify suitable land use systems with high monetary return and carbon storage potential. Two altitudinal gradients were considered for the study viz; 914-1200 m.a.s.l. and 1201-1500 m.a.s.l. In each altitudinal gradient eight land use systems i.e. agriculture, horticulture, agrisilviculture, silvipastural, agrihorticulture, agrihortisilviculture, forest and grassland which were common to all the two altitudinal levels were selected. The total tree biomass was the sum of stem biomass, branch biomass and leaf biomass. The plot size for trees was 50 m × 20 m. The tree biomass was converted into carbon fraction by factor of 0.5 (IPCC default value). Crop, herbage, shrub, grass and litter biomass were estimated with the help of a 1 square meter plot. Soil attributes viz; soil physical properties (bulk density, particle density and pore space), soil chemical properties (soil pH, cation exchange capacity, soil carbon density, organic carbon, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium and available sulphur) and soil microbial properties (soil microbial biomass C, microbial counts and microbial activity) were also analyzed. Data concerning economics of the land use systems were collected through interviews with the farmers and other person of the study area. The results have revealed that different land use systems have significant influence on the production of biomass productions and carbon stocks. Maximum above ground biomass (99.03t ha-1), below ground biomass (25.69 t ha-1) and total biomass (124.48 t ha-1) was recorded in forest land use system. Total biomass production of different land use systems followed the order: forest > silvipastural > agrihortisilviculture > agrisilviculture > agrihorticulture > horticulture > agriculture > grassland, respectively. This trend is same for carbon density (t ha-1) of different land use systems. In the effect of altitudinal ranges, the above ground biomass, below ground biomass, total biomass and carbon stocks, irrespective of land use systems decreased with the increase in altitudinal levels. Soil physico-chemical and microbial analysis revealed that maximum bulk density was recorded in the agriculture system (0.91 g cm-3) at par with grassland and minimum in forest system (0.66 g cm-3). Forest system recorded maximum amount of pore space (63.04%), pH (6.51), cation exchange capacity (10.97), organic carbon (0.92%), soil carbon density (21.63 t ha-1), potassium (198.80 kg/ha), calcium (3880.00 kg/ha), exchangeable magnesium (1192.00 mg/kg) and available sulphur (34.28 kg/ha) and all were at par with silvipastural land use system. Agrihorticulture recorded higher nitrogen content (404.78 kg/ha) and available phosphorus (14.26 kg/ha) which was at par with horticulture system. However, the nitrogen content (331.10 kg/ha) was minimum in forest system. In altitudinal range, soil physico-chemical properties were found to increase appreciably with the increase in altitudinal ranges. In soil microbial analysis, maximum microbial-C biomass was recorded in forest (429.73 μg/g), total microbial counts also (98.67cfu/g) in forest based land use system. In the effect of altitudinal ranges, microbial-C biomass and microbial counts, irrespective of land use systems increased with the increase in altitudinal levels. Maximum total ecosystem carbon pool (132.06 t ha-1) was recorded in forest land use system and followed the trend: forest > silvipastural > agrihortisilviculture > agrihorticulture > agrisilviculture > horticulture > grassland > agriculture, respectively. Irrespective of land use systems increased with the increase in altitudinal ranges. Rate of gross return was higher (477600.00 Rs ha-1yr-1) in agrihorticulture land use system, which was closely followed by the land use system of agrihortisilviculture, horticulture, agriculture, agrisilviculture, forest, silvipastural and grassland land use system, respectively in the descending order. Irrespective of land use systems the rate of gross return decreases with the increase in altitudinal levels. Maximum expenses followed the order: agrihorticulture > agrihortisilviculture > horticulture > agriculture > agrisilviculture > forest > silvipastural > grassland, respectively. Maximum net profit (62810.00 Rs ha-1yr-1) was attained by agrihorticulture land use system, which was closely followed by agrihortisilviculture (40585.95 Rs ha-1yr-1) and agrisilviculture (39003.00 Rs ha-1yr-1) land use systems. In altitudinal ranges, the net profit obtained increased appreciably from A1 to A2 altitudinal range. Benefit cost ratio was higher (1.15) in agrihorticulture land use system, which was closely followed the trend agrihorticulture > agrihortisilviculture > silvipastural > grassland > horticulture > forest > agriculture and agrisilviculture, respectively. From this study, it is concluded that agroforestry systems, particularly agrihorticulture and agrihortisilviculture land use systems are playing an important role in the biodiversity conservation, soil enrichment, carbon storage and improving the economic status of the farmers of the mid hill and sub-humid zone-II of Himachal Pradesh.
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    Carbon sequestration and effect of organic manures on yield and biomass production of medicinal and aromatic plants under kinnow based agroforestry system
    (YSPU, 2016) Gulabrao, Yewale Aalok; Pant, K.S.
    The present investigations entitled “Carbon sequestration and effect of organic manures on yield and biomass production of medicinal and aromatic plants under kinnow based agroforestry system” was conducted at the experimental field of Regional Horticultural Research Station, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Dhaulakuan, Sirmour (H.P.) during 2012 and 2013. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The study aimed at exploring the possibilities of successful cultivation of medicinal plants as intercrop under kinnow along with the different doses of organic manures used. The experiment comprised of 14treatments, which included three different doses of Vermicompost (2t/ha, 4t/ha, 6t/ha) and three different doses of FYM (15t/ha, 20t/ha, 25t/ha) in combination with and without kinnow. The results revealed that MAPs can be grown successfully under agroforestry system. The use of Vermicompost and FYM at appropriate doses was found beneficial for minimizing competition for critical resources. Vermicompost @ 6t/ha was the most effective dose of organic manure, followed by FYM @ 25t/ha. It was observed that Ocimum sanctum, Andrographis paniculata and Withania somnifera could successfully be cultivated as intercrop under kinnow without any adverse impact on the performance and production ability of these MAPs. The use of organic manures further improves the production ability of intercrop by minimizing competition for critical resources. Performance of Ocimum sanctum, Andrographis paniculata and Withania somnifera were better under kinnow than control. The results revealed that intercropping of MAPs with kinnow also improved fruit yield as management practices and use of organic manures also benefited the tree growth under agroforestry system. Soil physical and chemical properties were found to be better in intercropping as compared to control (treeless area). The availability of nutrients like N, P, K, Ca and Mg were high where, higher doses of organic manures were applied in agroforestry system as well as in sole crop system. Soil pH and organic carbon were also improved in agroforestry system than sole crop system. In present study the biomass production was observed under kinnow based agroforestry system where, Ocimum sanctum was intercropped followed by kinnow + Andrographis paniculata and kinnow + Withanina somnifera. The carbon sequestration of kinnow based agroforestry system was recorded maximum than sole crop system. The bioeconomic appraisal of kinnow based agroforestry system has exhibited better benefit cost ratio as compared to sole crop system. Among three MAPs, Ocimum sanctum provides better returns in comparison to Andrographis paniculata and Withania somnifera. The findings of present study suggested that cultivation of these medicinal and aromatic plants in combination with fruit trees, especially kinnow may be recommended for better economic return from the agroforestry systems. Application of organic manures had significantly increased yield and growth performance of medicinal herbs intercropped under kinnow. Soil physico-chemical properties like soil organic carbon and nutrients availability were found to be improved under agroforestry system than sole crop system. It also suggested that the agroforestry system have higher potential of producing biomass (woody and non-woody) and have higher carbon sequestration potential than monocropping system.