AICRP on Agroforestry

Keeping in view the paramount importance of Agroforestry in the zone, the systematic research work was started during May 1984 with the establishment of All India Coordinated Research Project on Agroforestry. The emphasis was aimed to the research activities restricted to the major components of Agroforestry viz. Agri-silviculture, Silvi-pasture, multipurpose tree species, Agri-horticulture etc.

• Diagnostic and Design Survey.

• Collection and evaluation of promising tree species/cultivars of fuel/fodder and small timber (MPTs).

• Studies on management practices of agroforestry systems.

• Collection and evaluation of various multipurpose tree species for their survival and growth in Rajasthan state.

• To conduct diagnostic survey of existing agroforestry system of Rajasthan state and their evaluation.

• To evaluate the ecologically and economically feasible agroforestry system over existing monoculture cropping system.

• To evaluate the silvi-pasture system in the region.

1. Diagnostic Survey and Design.

2. Growth performance of Azadirachta indica (Neem), T. undulate and P. cineraria in systematic field design parallel.

3. Performance of different multi-purpose tree species (MPTs) in block plantations system.

4. Intercropping experiment with H. binata and open field for recommendation in PoP.

5. Intercropping experiment with P. cineraria and open field for recommendation in PoP.

6. Growth performance of Hardwickia binata in agri-silviculture system in different row spacing.

7. Study the comparison on growth, biomass and pod production between spine less P. cineraria and P. cineraria trees in hot arid region.

8. Studies on A. excelsa based agri-silviculture system under rainfed conditions.

9. Long term effect of different agro-forestry systems on dynamics of physicochemical properties of soil under agro-climatic condition of Zone-IIA.

10. Effect of Prosopis cineraria plantation on nutrient status of typic torripsamments under agroforestry based cropping system of western Rajasthan.

11. Effect of Hardwickia binata plantation on nutrient status of typic torripsamments under agroforestry based cropping system of western Rajasthan.

12. Effect of different agro-forestry systems on biomass and carbon stock in arid zone of Rajasthan.

13. Survey, selection of CPT’s and collection of seeds of Ailanthus excelsa under arid and semi-arid region of Rajasthan.

14. Survey, collection and evaluation of elite germplasm of Ker (Capparis decidua) under arid and semi-arid region of Rajasthan.

15. Effect of time of cutting and IBA application on propagation of Ker (Capparis decidua).

16. Effect of time of seed sowing on germination behaviour of Ker (Capparis decidua).

1. Prosopis cineraria (Khejri) was found best tree in arid and semi arid region for agroforestry models which have beneficial effect to under storey crops, maintain the physicochemical properties and improve the fertility status of soil.

2. Techniques of moisture conservation by ring ditching around the tree base (30 cm deep in 2 m radius) plus straw mulch have been found effective to improve soil moisture content.

3. Studies on evaluation of MPTs in systemic field design (parallel) revealed that growth parameters of Azadirachta indica increased with increase in effective areas per plant, however this effect was not much pronounced in Prosopis cineraria and Tecomella undulata.

4. Acacia tortilis was found best for energy plantation at uncultivable and waste lands.

5. Dichrostachys cinerea (Nutans) + cenchrus ciliaris model was found best for silvi-pastoral system with respect to fodder supply as well as fertility improvement of soil.

6. Farmers are advised to plant Ailanthus excelsa (Ardu) on their farm boundaries where temperature does not fall below -1 °C to meet their demand for fodder and timber.

7. Hardwickia binata (Anjan) belongs to family Leguminosae having straight bole with palatable fodder leaves is recommended as a silviculture tree for boundary plantation at 5x5 meter in irrigated as well as unirrigated conditions. It is also tolerant to harsh environmental condition.

8. Tecomella undulata and Prosopis cineraria were found resistant against cold as well as hot winds.

9. On marginal lands where growing of arable crops are not possible/economical, Acacia tortilis (Isaraeli babool) is recommended as energy plantation tree at 4x4 meter spacing.

10. In agri-horticulture system, Aonla based cropping system (Chakaya and NA-7) was performed better at farmer’s fields.

11. Gola and Sev verities of Ber were found better at farmer’s fields in Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts.

12. About 5-10% drying of P. cineraria was observed during survey in Zone IIA. Drying may be due to an insect attack namely Celosterna scabrator fab. with association of fungus Gynoderma spp. in water stress conditions. The recovery has been made in such trees with the application of 20 gm Bavistin + 40 gm Blitox + 20 ml chloropyriphos per tree in 20 liter of water. This treatment may be repeated after 30 days.

13. Studies on MPTs in block plantation for management of agroforestry system (Agri-silviculture) revealed that Prosopis cineraria and Hardwickia binata performed better with respect to survival percentage.