Minor millets based agroforestry of multipurpose tree species of Bhimal (Grewia optiva Drummond JR ex Burret) and Mulberry (Morus alba L.) for resource conservation and production in north western Himalayas-10-year study

In a long term study 2009-2018 at ICAR-IISWC, Dehradun, the uniqueness of minor millets based agroforestry systems (AFSs) for effective soil water conservation and biomass production in foot hills of Himalayas were evaluated. The Morus alba (Ma) based AFS was found to be the most productive and profitable system producing 1.1 and 1.8 t ha(-1)yr(-1) of finger millet and wheat grain, respectively besides carbon stocks of 22.9 t ha(-1). Morus based agroforestry system produced the highest yield of green fodder and dry fuel wood at 5.1 and 4.5 t ha(-1)yr(-1), respectively after 10 years of planting. The reduction in minor millets yield was offset by the additional production of tree fodder and dry fuel wood by the Multiparous trees (MPTs) in the AFSs.The minimum soil loss was recorded inMa + barnyard millet (BM) based AFS followed byMa + finger millet (FM) at 15.4 and 16.4 t ha(-1)yr(-1) in comparison to cultivated fallow at 25.6 t ha(-1). The traditional millets recorded the identical soil loss of 19.7 t ha(-1) during the period. The MPTs land use recorded the soil loss of 22.4-22.8 t ha(-1). Similarly, the lowest run off was recorded in millet-AFSs ranging from 23.0% to 25.6% than cultivated fallow without crops (38.9%). The highest soil and runoff conservation efficiency was observed in order of AFSs> sole millets > MPTs > cultivated fallow.Millet based AFS led to the improvements in soil physical properties and fertility status significantly.Ma + FM based AFS recorded favourable changes in bulk density (B.D.), water stable aggregates and organic carbon, OC, 0.73%. Grewia optiva + BM recorded the highest OC (0.75%) besides plant nutrients P (183.2%) and K (51.1%) over the cultivated fallow. Agroforestry systems of Ma+FM-wheat and Ma+FM-toria were the most productive and robust systems economically in respect of benefit: cost ratio and net present value.

Automated summary

This long-term study evaluated the uniqueness of minor millets based agroforestry systems for soil water conservation and biomass production in the Himalayan foothills. The study found that the Morus alba based system was the most productive and profitable, producing high yields of finger millet and wheat grain, as well as carbon stocks. The addition of tree fodder and fuel wood by Multiparous trees offset the reduction in minor millets yield. The study also found that agroforestry systems led to improvements in soil physical properties and fertility.