Performance of sorghum varieties and nutrient uptake under agri-silvi-horti system in semi-arid region
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Date
2023-08
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CCSHAU, Hisar
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Performance of sorghum varieties and nutrient uptake under agri-silvi-horti system in semi-arid region” was carried out at the research farm of the Department of Forestry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during the Kharif season of 2022-23 to study the effect of Eucalyptus tereticornis and Psidium guajava based agri- silvi-horti system spaced at 7 × 8 m on growth, yield attributes and of six wheat varieties of four sorghum varieties viz. CSV 32F, CSV 21F, HJ 513, and Duggi. During the study period, the growth parameters of eucalypts and guava plantation showed an increment in the mean height, GBH and crown spread. The mean height, GBH and crown spread of eucalypts after harvest of sorghum crop was 13.61 m, 69.39 cm, and 4.4 m, respectively, and for guava, it was 3.8 m, 21.35 cm, and 4.1 m, respectively after harvest of sorghum crop. A significant increase in soil organic carbon, available N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and DTPA extractable micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn) was observed at all soil depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm) under agri-silvi-horti system than in control. The various growth, quality and yield attributing parameters of different sorghum varieties under study were observed significantly higher in sole sorghum crop (devoid of trees) than under the eucalypts-guava based agri-silvi-horti system. Maximum reduction in fresh fodder yield was observed under Duggi (45.15 %) followed by HJ 513 (39.06 %), CSV 32F (37.41%), and CSV 21F (37.25%). Under agri-silvi-horti system, variety Duggi was shown to be highly susceptible to shade and exhibited lesser yield and other growth attributing traits. All Quality parameters TSS, crude fiber, crude protein, and HCN were found higher under agri-silvi-horti system as compared to control (except TSS). Eucalyptus tereticornis and Psidium guajava based agri- silvi-horti system significantly increased the soil microbial biomass carbon and potentially mineralizable nitrogen by 34 % and 76 % respectively.