Nutrient dynamics under different Land use systems in Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh
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Date
2012
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ABSTRACT
The present investigations entitled “Nutrient dynamics under different Land use systems in Kullu valley of
Himachal Pradesh” were carried out at Baragran village (31.850 North latitude and 77.080 East longitude with an
elevation of 1600 masl), district Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) during 2011-2012. The experiment was laid out in
Randomized Block Design using six land use systems (T), with four replications. The six land use systems selected
were: agriculture (T1), horticulture (T2), agri-horticulture (T3), traditional agroforestry (T4), pasture (T5) and silvipasture
(T6). The plot size of each land use system was 800m2. Existing biomass production, nutrient dynamics and
economic appraisal of each land use were evaluated. The results have revealed that different land use systems have
different production levels of above ground and below ground biomass as well as on total biomass. Maximum above
ground biomass (86.84 t ha-1), below ground biomass (30.76 t ha-1) and total biomass (117.60 t ha-1) was
accumulated in the silvi-pasture land use system. In respect of total biomass production, silvi-pasture land use was
followed by agri-horticulture, horticulture, pasture, traditional agroforestry and agriculture land use systems,
respectively in the descending order. The surface (0-20 cm) soil layer contained higher amounts of OC, N, P and K,
whereas, bulk density was more in sub-surface (20-40 cm) layer. Nutrient balance has shown higher net loss of N, P
and K in agri-horticulture (T3). Whereas, minimum net loss of N and K in silvi-pasture (T6) and for P it was in
pasture (T5).The maximum gross returns and total cost was in agri-horticulture, whereas, net returns were maximum
in horticulture. The benefit-cost ratio was higher in silvi-pasture land use system.
On the basis of the above findings, we can conclude that in the valley ecosystem fruit based land use
systems and pure orchard are not only biological productive but have more net returns than other land use systems
hence need to be promoted. Whereas, silvi-pasture system have maximum benefit-cost ratio, which need to be
conserved for better environmental security. Agri-horticulture system shows the highest efficient nutrient cycling in
comparison to other land use system and not only improved physico-chemical and biological properties of soil but
also increase the productivity on sustainable basis. The synchronization of nutrient release pattern with crop
demands is most important to achieve higher productivity from agri-horticulture system. Based on a comparison
among different land use systems, agri-horticulture system needs to be promoted over the horticulture based land use
systems for realizing both monetary returns and food security.