Page 46 - Agroforestry system - book inner (final corrected) - 9.-3-21_Neat

National level e-symposium on “Agroforestry system for augmenting livestock
productivity and empowering resource poor rural farmers”

as an alternative form of biological reclamation of salt affected soils along with continuous income generation,
employment and food and nutrition security.

Materials and methods
Field level studies on Agro forestry system for reclamation of problematic soils with livestock
integration was carried out in community and private waste lands areas of Perambalur and Ariyalur district
during 2001-2006 with the objectives of to create suitable Agro forestry models with livestock integration for
reclamation of problematic soil. Major soil type in project area is clay loam to sandy clay loam with soil pH
ranges from 7- 9.8 (Normal -7.0), Soil EC ranges from 0.14 to 11.20 (Normal: 0.4).Majority of the soils are
saline (70%) and alkaline (30%) in nature. Available soil N, P, K status in project site soil was low, medium
and high level, respectively, the mean initial Organic carbon of the samples was 0.276, which falls under the
category of low level (Less than 0.5%).
1. Programme Coordinator, KVK, Chinnasalem, 2. Subject Matter Specialist, KVK, Namakkal

3. Ex. Director, Centre for Animal Production Studies, TANUVAS, Chennai-51

Agroforestry models like silvipasture, Silviculture, Hortipasture, Horti-silvipasture and windbreak
system ware implemented with tree species like Neem (Azadiracta indica), bamboo (Bambusa mucalba),
Pungam (Ponhamia glabra), Teak (Tectonia grandis) Sorkamaram (Simaruba glauca) and Ponnavarai
(Cassia siamia), pasture components such as Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), stylo, Subabul (Leucaena
leucocephala) and Hedge lucerne (Desmathus virgatus). fruit tree species like Amla (Emblica officinalis),
Sapota (Achras sapota), Mango (Mangifera indica), Tamarind (Tamarindus indicus) and Jack (Artocarpus
heterophylluls).Livestock components such as sheep and poultry were integrated in various Agroforestry
models for reclamation of salt affected soils. Performance of various models and soil fertility status were
observed.

Results and discussion

Silviculture model created in highly alkaline soil. Neem, Bamboo, Pungam, Teak Sorkamaram and
Ponnavarai tree species were distributed for the creation of this model. Among the tree sps, Neem was found
to grow well in high alkaline soil and also found to be drought resistant. Silvipasture models are developed in
highly saline, alkaline and eroded soil because of withstanding salt and drought. along with tree components
pasture components such as Guinea grass, Stylo, Subabul and Hedge lucerne were established in community
and private wastelands. Forty four lambs are integrated with this agro forestry model. Their manure is used
as fertilizer to reclaim the problem soil. Neem was found to grow well in high alkaline soil. Stylo germinated
well in moderate nutrient (NPK) soil and also tolerates high soil pH.

Hortipasture models are developed in slightly alkaline, saline, calcareous and quarry dust affected area.
Under this model, fruit tree species like Amla, Sapota, Mango, Tamarind and Jack were planted along with
pasture components. Forty three lambs are integrated with the models created and their manure is recycled
for reclaiming the soil. Amla and tamarind have found to withstand the high alkalinity soil and sapota and
mango tolerate well in saline problem soil. Guinea grass and stylo tolerate in saline soil. Horti-silvipasture
model is created in saline and moderate alkaline soils with integrating 66 lambs. Hemlata Bhatt et al., 2017,

Institute of Animal Nutrition, Centre for Animal Production Studies, TANUVAS
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development 27