Performance of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under Different Agroforestry Systems
Loading...
Date
2023-01-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
College of Horticulture and Forestry Neri, Hamirpur (H.P.)
Abstract
The present investigations entitled “Performance of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under different
Agroforestry Systems” were carried out during the year 2021 at agricultural farm of Sh. Amarnath (farmer), village
Berad, near Kangoo, Hamirpur (HP). The main purpose of the research was to evaluate the effect of different tree
species viz., Harar, Aonla and Soapnut on growth and yield parameters of Sesame. Besides growth parameters,
carbon sequestration potential, economic feasibility and soil analysis for physico-bio-chemical properties was also
done. The first experiment namely; assessment of growth and yield of Sesame under different agroforestry systems
was laid out in Randomized Block Design having four treatment combinations (S0 - Sole Sesame, S1 – Harar +
Sesame, S2 – Aonla + Sesame, S3 - Soapnut + Sesame) and five replications. The second experiment was also
conducted under Randomized Block Design having seven treatment combinations viz., T1 – Sole Sesame, T2 –
Harar, T3 – Aonla, T4 – Soapnut, T5 – Harar + Sesame, T6 – Aonla + Sesame and T7 – Soapnut + Sesame with three
replications in order to estimate carbon sequestration potential, economic feasibility and soil properties under
different land uses. Results revealed that tree component had positive impact on growth and yield of agricultural
crop. Out of all physico-chemical properties; Bulk Density, Particle Density and Porosity remained unaffected under
different land use systems however, Soil Moisture Content, Electrical Conductivity, pH and Organic Carbon were
found affected significantly. It was observed that nutrient N, P and K contents of the soil were generally higher
under agroforestry systems over sole cropping. Biological properties viz., microbial biomass and enzymatic
activities (phosphatase, catalase and dehydrogenase) were also higher under tree-crop combinations. However, it
was observed that with the increasing soil depth from 0-15 cm to 15-30 cm soil Bulk Density, Particle Density and
Moisture Content increased whereas other soil parameters decreased. Among all tree-crop combinations, the highest
total biomass (68.31 t per ha) and carbon stock (34.16 t per ha) was recorded for Soapnut + Sesame and the lowest
for sole Sesame. From economics point of view, the maximum gross returns were realized for Soapnut + Sesame
(Rs. 2,71,400.00 per ha) closely followed by Harar + Sesame (Rs. 2,54,935.00 per ha). However, it was noticed that
Harar + Sesame based agroforestry system had highest benefit ratio (2.36).
Overall, it was concluded that tree-crop combinations are sustainable as compare to monocropping. Among
different land uses, Harar + Sesame proved to be the superior combination. Farmers should adopt this combination
(Harar + Sesame) under similar agro-ecological conditions for higher economic returns.