Potential assessment of poplar based agro-forestry ecosystem for soil vitality and conservation in comparison to agro-ecosystem
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Date
2017-07
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Agroforestry is the blending of conventional farming practices with forestry to create such a microenvironment in which every living thing complements everything else. Trees provide nutrients in the form of leaf litter and root exudates, prevent soil erosion, and protect the crops and animals from damaging effect of the wind, pests, and diseases. The increased input of leaf litter by trees helps in building organic matter in soil which in turn helps in building up microbial biomass. Increased microbial biomass increase the biochemical processes in the soil which in turn enhances the cycling of nutrients in the soil. Agroforestry systems by minimizing nutrient losses and maximizing internal cycling of nutrients and by enhancing pest and disease control reduce the need for agrochemical inputs. In this study, the potential of poplar based agroforestry in enhancing soil fertility status was explored. It was found that poplar based agroforestry generally enhances the soil organic matter in soil due to increased input of leaf litter and root exudates by poplar trees. In agroforestry system, Soil pH was decreased and no significant effect on electrical conductivity was observed in comparison with agroecosystem. It was found that levels of soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, and available potassium were significantly increased in agroforestry systems than in cropland ecosystems. The effect on available potassium was not that promising still, potassium levels were optimal for proper plant growth even in the absence of any fertilizer input in these agroforestry systems. Agroforestry systems also enhance the total protein content. Four soil enzymes were also studied and it was found that Soil Protease, Soil β-Glucosidase, and Soil Urease enzyme activities were greatly enhanced in agroforestry system soils. The effect of agroforestry on Soil Phytase activity was not that profound and phytase activity was significantly decreased in agroforestry systems in comparison to agroecosystems. This increased activity was possibly due to the repeated plantation of phytate rich legumes and cereals in the agroecosystem. Microbial biomass was also enhanced in agroforestry systems. The soil bacterial and fungal count was significantly enhanced in agroforestry systems. Different physicochemical, biochemical and microbial properties showed significant correlations among them. Soil organic carbon was positively correlated with available nitrogen and available potassium. In a similar manner, soil protein content was strongly correlated with soil protease and β-glucosidase enzymatic activities. Thus all these properties help in enhancing the soil fertility status in an integrated manner in agroforestry systems. It was observed that The seasonal change also affects the soil properties. No significant effect of seasonal variations on soil pH and available phosphorus was observed while other parameters were significantly affected by the seasonal variation. These observations indicate that poplar based agroforestry has immense potential in enhancing the soil health and vitality.
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