Productivity, moisture and soil-nutrients status in anjan (Hardwickia binata)based three-tier silvopasture system under shrub species and planting densities

A field experiment was conducted during 2011-2012 to 2016-17 on sandy-loam soil at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the performance of anjan (Hardwickia binata Roxb.)based three-tier silvopasture system under different shrub species and tree densities in semi-arid rainfed conditions. The experiment consisted of 9 treatments comprising of 3 planting densities of each shrubs and H. binata in alternate row, viz. 312, 208 and 139/ha and 3 shrub species, viz. kath ber [Ziziphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd.]. Indian jujube [Z. mauritiana Lam.] and black cutch [Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P.J.H. Hurter & Mabb.]. Study revealed that Total green and dry top feed and fire wood obtained from pruning of Z. mauritiana and H. binata (0.87, 0.36 and 0.42 t/ha) were significantly higher than of Z. xylopyrus (0.77, 0.33 and 0.38 t/ha) and Senegalia catechu (0.67, 0.31 and 0.36 t/ha). Planting of H. binata and shrubs in alternate row at 6 m × 6 m spacing in 3 tier silvopasture system resulted in significantly higher green and dry-forage yield (17.64 and 5.58 t/ha) and crude protein yield (542.5 kg/ha) of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) and caatingta stylo (Stylosanthes seabrana Maass & Maanetje) intercropping system as compared to 6 m × 4 m (17.23 and 5.43 t/ha and 529.2 kg/ha) and 4 m × 4 m spacing (16.93 and 5.31 t/ha and 512.6 kg/ha) respectively. Moisture content recorded after the monsoon season (October to April) was higher under Z. mauritiana (9.09, 9.55 and 10.20%) than S. xylopyrus (8.65, 9.12 and 9.77%) and A. catechu (8.63, 9.15 and 9.80%) at 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-60 cm soil depths, respectively. In soil fertility, higher planting density 312/ha of each shrubs and H. binata in alternate row resulted in improvement of available nutrients (N, 171.42; P, 7.03 and K, 158.81 kg/ha) and organic carbon (0.410%) than lower planting density 139/ha (N, 162.01; P, 6.64 and K, 150.87 kg/ha and organic carbon, 0.385%) in 6th year of the experiment.