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Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi

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2022 - 20234
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Subject: Silviculture and Agroforestry × Start date: 2020 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen 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. Malik
    The 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen 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. Malik
    The 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen 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. Malik
    Integration 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDY ON EVALUATION OF GMELINA ARBOREA BASED AGRISILVICULTURAL SYSTEM
    (Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Kumar, Abhay; Malik, M.S.
    The two year field experiment titled “Study on Evaluation of Gmelina arborea based Agrisilvicultural System” was carried out at during kharif and rabi seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18 at experimental site near Faculty of Forestry in main campus of Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. The study aimed at exploring the possibilities of successful cultivation of Arhar (Cajanus cajan), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), Greengram (Vigna radiata), Mustard (Brassica juncea) as intercrops under gamhar (Gmelina arborea) based agrisilvicultural system and in sole conditions. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four different crops (arhar, cowpea, greengram and mustard) under gamhar based agrisilvicultural system and sole cropping systems, having total seven treatments T1= Gamhar+Arhar, T2= Gamhar+Cowpea-Mustard, T3= Gamhar+Greengram-Mustard, T4= Sole Gamhar, T5= Sole Arhar, T6= Sole Cowpea-Mustard and T7= Sole Greengram-Mustard, with three replications. Among tree growth parameters, increment in height, increment in collar diameter, number of branches, number of leaves, crown width, volume increment, and volume increment percentage all were recorded maximum in Gamhar+Greengram-Mustard which was respectively 10.75, 5.92, 4.49, 17.05, 13.28, 14.74, and 15.53 percent higher than Sole Gamhar in pooled data. While biomass expansion factor and root-shoot ratio was 4.12 and 2.70 percent higher in Gamhar+Arhar compared to Sole Gamhar in pooled data. Growth parameters of arhar, cowpea and green gram, viz. plant population, number of leaves per plant, plant height, root length, number of root nodules, dry biomass of root per plant, dry biomass of shoot per plant, crop growth rate, numbers of primary branches, numbers of secondary branches, days to 50% flowering and 80% pod maturity as well as yield attributes (number of pods per plant, number of pod clusters per plant, number of seeds per pod, pod length, pod diameter, weight of seeds per pod, test weight) and yield in terms of grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index (HI) were recorder higher under sole cropping system than gamhar based agrisilvicultural system during kharif season. Similarly, growth parameters of mustard viz. plant population, number of leaves per plant, plant height, root length, dry biomass of root per plant, dry biomass of shoot per plant, crop growth rate, numbers of primary branches, days to 50% flowering and 80% siliqua maturity, yield attributes viz. number of siliquas per plant, length of siliqua, number of seeds per siliqua, test weight and yield in terms of grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index (HI) were recorded higher in case of sole cropping than when intercropped with gamhar in rabi season of 2016-17, 2017-18 and in pooled data. Soil chemical properties after harvest of second year crop were higher under gamhar based agrisilvicultural system as compared to sole cropping system. Among all the treatments maximum increment in pH, EC, soil organic matter, available N, P and K was recorded in Gamhar+Arhar which was 1.46, 18.18, 19.63, 17.58, 18.37, 10.56 percent higher compared to initial in 0-15 cm soil depth and 1.74, 20.25, 24.44, 18.37, 18.95, 15.39 percent higher compared to initial in 15-30 cm soil depth, respectively after two years of experimentation. Gamhar tree biomass accumulation was higher in gamhar based agrisilvicultural system compared to sole gamhar. Among different components, stem contributed a maximum to total tree biomass followed by roots, leaves and branches. Average contribution of stem, roots, leaves and branches in total tree biomass was 50.00, 19.79, 19.18 and 10.73 percent in 2016-17, 59.94, 19.98, 12.74 and 7.27 percent in 2017-18, and 58.05, 20.00, 14.02 and 7.93 percent in pooled data, respectively. In case of crops, above ground, below ground and total biomass was significantly higher in sole cropping than gamhar based agrisilvicultural system. Total (Tree+Crop+Soil) carbon stock, carbon sequestration, carbon credit and economic price of sole cropping and gamhar based agrisilvicultural system were significantly affected by treatments. Carbon stock, carbon sequestration, carbon credit as well as economic price was maximum in Sole Greengram-Mustard which was 812.86, 816.02, 816.02 and 817.00 percent higher than Sole Gamhar in 2016-17, 735.35, 733.52, 733.52 and 733.75 percent in 2017-18, and 772.62, 767.42, 767.42 and 768.11 percent in pooled data, respectively. Gross and net return was higher in 2017-18 compared to 2016-17 due to higher initial cost in first year and higher crop yields in second year. Maximum gross return was found in Sole Greengram-Mustard followed by Gamhar+Greengram-Mustard in both the years while in case of net return maximum was recorded in Sole Arhar followed by Gamhar+Arhar. Maximum BCR and NPV were recorded in Sole Arhar followed by Gamhar+Arhar due to higher initial cost in agrisilvicultural system. Maximum IRR was found in Gamhar+Arhar followed by Gamhar+Greengram-Mustard and minimum was recorded in Sole Gamhar during 2016-18. Thus, the study indicated that on the basis of soil health and economics, Arhar and on the basis of yield and biomass, Greengram-Mustard performed better under sole farming as well as under gamhar based agrisilvicultural systems in Eastern Plateau and Hill region of Jharkhand, India.