Structure and energy efficiency of Agroforestry systems practiced by tribal community in Central Himalayas

, , ,

Research Articles | Published:

Print ISSN : 0970-4078.
Online ISSN : 2229-4473.
Website:www.vegetosindia.org
Pub Email: contact@vegetosindia.org
Doi: 10.1007/s42535-021-00210-4
First Page: 368
Last Page: 382
Views: 1017


Keywords: Land use systems, Agroforestry, Biomass, Energy budget, Monetary budget


Abstract

In present study, profitability of the prevailing different agricultural land use systems cultivated by Tharu tribal community of Uttarakhand was studied. Total five different land use systems i.e., sole cropping system (SCS), silviculture system (SS), agrisilviculture system (ASS), agrihorticulture system (AHS) and homegarden system (HS) were selected to analyse agroecosystem of the tribal community of Central Himalaya. Total 70 plants belonging to 35 families were listed across the studied systems. The tree density ranged between 60 individuals ha−1 (HS) and 666 individuals ha−1 (ASS) and tree biomass from 33.51 ha−1 (ASS) to 463.54 t ha−1 (SS). Carbon stock followed the trend of biomass in different land use systems. Herb density varied in between 4.2 (AHS) and 150.3 individuals m−2 (SS) among the different land use systems. The energy output input ratio along with the monetary budget was recorded maximum for AHS and minimum for SS. Hence, we concluded from the present study that AHS is most beneficial system, providing a good source of energy and income therefore, particularly important for Tharu tribal community.


Land use systems, Agroforestry, Biomass, Energy budget, Monetary budget


*Get Access

(*Only SPR Members can get full access. Click Here to Apply and get access)

Advertisement

References

  1. Ajit, Dhyani SK, Ramnewaj, et al (2013) Modeling analysis of potential carbon sequestration under existing agroforestry systems in three districts of Indo-gangetic plains in India. Agrofor Syst 87:1129–1146. 87:1129–1146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-013-9625-x

  2. Bargali SS, Singh SP (1991) Aspect of productivity and nutrient cycling in an 8-year old Eucalyptus plantation in a moist plain area adjacent to Central Himalaya, India. Can J Forest Res 21:1365–1372

  3. Bargali SS, Singh SP, Singh RP (1992) Structure and function of an age series of eucalypt plantations in Central Himalaya, I. Dry matter dynamics. Ann Bot 69:405–411

  4. Bargali SS, Singh SP, Pandya KS (2004) Effects of Acacia nilotica on gram crop in a traditional agroforestry system of Chhattisgarh plains. Int J Ecol Environ Sci 30(4):363–368

  5. Bargali SS, Bargali K, Singh L, Ghosh L, Lakhera ML (2009) Acacia nilotica based traditional agroforestry system: effect on paddy crop and management. Curr Sci 96(4):581–587

  6. Bargali K, Karki H, Vibhuti BSS (2018) Contribution of homegarden agroforestry in livelihood of rural farmers in Kumaun Himalaya. Bionature 38(1):34–47

  7. Bargali SS, Padalia K, Bargali K (2019) Effects of tree fostering on soil health and microbial biomass under different land use systems in the Central Himalayas. Land Degrad Dev 30(16):1–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3394

  8. Census of India (2011) Government of India, Ministry of home affairs. censusindia.gov.in

  9. Chaturvedi OP, Handa AK, Kaushal R, Uthappa AR, Sarvade S, Panwar P (2016) Biomass production and Carbon sequestration through agroforestry Range. Mgmt Agroforest 37(2):116–127

  10. Curtis JT, McIntosh RP (1950) The interrelations of certain analytic and synthetic phytosociological characters. Ecology 31(3):434–455. https://doi.org/10.2307/1931497

  11. Dhyani S, Ram A, Newaj R, Handa AK, Dev I (2020) Agroforestry for carbon sequestration in Tropical India. In: Ghosh PK et al (ed) Carbon management in tropical and sub-tropical terrestrial systems. Springer Nature, Singapore, pp 313–331

  12. Jhariya MK, Banerjee A, Meena RS, Yadav DK (2019a) Sustainable agriculture, forest and environmental management. Springer Nature, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6830-1 (eISBN: 978-981-13-6830-1, Hardcover ISBN: 978-981-13-6829-5)

  13. Jhariya MK, Yadav DK, Banerjee A (2019b) Agroforestry and climate change: issues and challenges. Apple Academic Press Inc., CRC Press—A Tayler and Francis Group, USA and Canada. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429057274 (ISBN: 978-1-77188-790-8 (Hardcover), 978-0-42957-274-8 (E-book))

  14. Jhariya MK, Meena RS, Banerjee A (2021) Ecological intensification of natural resources for sustainable agriculture. Springer Nature, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4203-3 (eISBN: 978-981-334-203-3, Hardcover ISBN: 978-981-334-206-6)

  15. Kabir ME, Webb EL (2008) Can homegardens conserve biodiversity in Bangladesh? Biotropica 40(1):95–103. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2007.00346.x

  16. Karki H, Bargali K, Bargali SS (2021a) Spatial and seasonal pattern of fine root biomass and turnover rate in different land use systems in Central Himalaya, India. Russ J Ecol 52(1):36–48

  17. Karki H, Bargali K, Bargali SS (2021b) Nitrogen mineralization patterns in Populus deltoides and Tectona grandis based agrisilvicultural practices in Central Himalaya, India. Vegetos. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-021-00195-0

  18. Lodhiyal LS, Singh RP, Singh SP (1995) Structure and function of an age series of poplar plantations in central Himalaya: I Dry matter dynamics. Ann Bot 76(2):191–199

  19. Magnussen S, Reed D (2004) Modelling for estimation and monitoring. (FAO-IUFRO, 2004)

  20. Martin M, Geiger K, Singhakumara BMP, Ashton MS (2019) Quantitatively characterizing the floristics and structure of a traditional homegarden in a village landscape, Sri Lanka. Agroforest Syst 93:1439–1454

  21. Mitchell R (1979) An analysis of Indian Agroecosystems. In: An analysis of Indian Agroecosystems. Interprint, New Delhi

  22. Nautiyal S, Maikhuri RK, Semwal RL, Rao KS, Saxena KG (1998) Agroforestry system in the rural land scape: A case study in Garhwal Himalaya, India. Agrofor Syst 41:151–165

  23. Padalia K (2017) Dynamics of soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen under different cropping systems of Kumaun Himalaya. Ph.D. thesis Kumaun University, Nainital.

  24. Padalia K, Bargali K, Bargali SS (2017) Present scenario of agriculture and its allied occupation in a typical hill village of central Himalaya, India. Ind J Agric Sci 87(1):132–141

  25. Padalia K, Bargali SS, Bargali K, Parihaar RS (2018a) Socio-economic analysis based on energy input and output of mixed cropping systems of Bhabhar Region (Shiwalik Range of Kumaun Himalaya, India). Curr Agric Res J 6(2):123–140

  26. Padalia K, Bargali SS, Bargali K, Khulbe K (2018b) Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in relation to cropping systems in Central Himalaya, India. Curr Sci 115(9):1741–1750

  27. Parihaar RS (2016) Carbon Stock and Carbon Sequestration Potential of different Land use Systems in Hills and Bhabhar belt of Kumaun Himalaya Ph.D. thesis Kumaun University, Nainital.

  28. Parihaar RS, Bargali K, Bargali SS (2015) Status of an indigenous agroforestry system: a case study in Kumaun Himalaya, India. Ind J Agric Sci 85(3):442–447

  29. Parihaar RS, Bargali K, Bargali SS (2014) Diversity and uses of Ethno-medicinal plants associated with traditional agroforestry systems in Kumaun Himalaya. Ind J Agric Sci 84(12):1470–1476

  30. Roshetko JM, Delaney M, Hairiah K, Purnomosidhi P (2002) Carbon stocks in Indonesian homegarden systems: can smallholder systems be targeted for increased carbon storage? Am J Altern Agric 17(3):138–148

  31. Saikia P, Khan ML (2013) Population structure and regeneration status of Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. in homegardens of Upper Assam, northeast India. Trop Ecol 54(1):1–13

  32. Saikia P, Choudhury BI, Khan BL (2012) Floristic composition and plant utilization pattern in homegardens of Upper Assam, India. Trop Ecol 53(1):105–118

  33. Semwal RL, Maikhuri RK (1996) Structure and functioning of traditional hill agroecosystems of Garhwal Himalaya. Biol Agric Hortic 13:267–289

  34. Shahi C, Bargali SS, Bargali K (2019) Effects of size and altitude on plant diversity in agroecosystems of Kumaun Himalaya, India. Sustainable Agriculture. Shrinkhala Publishing House, Ayodhya, pp 38–51

  35. Shahi C, Bargali SS, Bargali K (2019) Energy use efficiency of rice-based traditional agroecosystems in Kumaun Himalaya, India. Ann Biol 35(2):303–309

  36. Singh AN, Singh JS (1999) Biomass, net primary production and impact of bamboo plantation on soil redevelopment in a dry tropical region. For Ecol Manag 119:195–207

  37. Upadhyay S, Sahoo SK, Panda GK, Upadhyay VP (2012) Linkages between agriculture and forest: case study from three tribal villages located in a biosphere reserve of India. Geo Eco Trop 36:39–48

  38. Verma SC (2010) The eco-friendly Tharu tribe: a study in socio-cultural dynamics. J Asia Pac Stud 1(2):177–187

  39. Vibhuti, Bargali K, Bargali SS (2018) Effects of homegarden size on floristic composition and diversity along an altitudinal gradient in Central Himalaya, India. Curr Sci 114(12):2494–2503

  40. Vibhuti, Bargali K, Bargali SS (2019) Species composition, diversity and traditional uses of homegarden in Kumaun Himalaya, India. Ind J Agric Sci 89(9):1415–1418

  41. Vibhuti, Bargali K, Bargali SS (2020) Effect of size and altitude on soil organic carbon stock in homegarden agroforestry system in Central Himalaya, India. Acta Ecol Sin 40(6):483–491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2020.10.002

  42.  


    43.  


Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to the Head Department of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, for providing necessary facilities. We are thankful to the editor and all the anonymous reviewers for their valuables suggestions and modifications to enhance the quality of the paper.


Author Information

Bisht Vandana
Department of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, India

Padalia Kirtika
Department of Botany, School of Science, Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani (Nainital), India


Bargali S. S.
Department of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, India

surendrakiran@rediffmail.com
Bargali Kiran
Department of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, India