IJPAB - 2017 Volume 5, issue 1

Introduction: Low farm productivity, declining soil fertility, and climatic stress in the semi-arid Bundelkhand region demand sustainable land-use strategies. Integrating Melia dubia with lentil-based systems offers potential to enhance soil fertility, resource efficiency, and profitability. However, limited studies have examined how tree spacing influences lentil seed quality, litterfall nutrient dynamics, and carbon sequestration in M. dubia -based agroforestry. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the 2023–24 Rabi season at the Forestry Research Farm, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, India. The study employed a split-plot design with three M. dubia spacings (5 × 5 m, 5 × 4 m, and 5 × 3 m) and two lentil varieties (IPL 316 and L 4727), along with a sole crop control, replicated thrice. Observations included lentil nutrient composition, litterfall quantity and nutrient content, tree growth, biomass, carbon storage, and economic returns. Statistical analysis was performed using OPSTAT software. Results: Tree spacing significantly affected lentil nutrient composition, litterfall production, and system productivity. The 5 × 4 m spacing recorded the highest lentil seed protein (26.21%) and nitrogen (4.19%) contents, whereas phosphorus and calcium were maximum under 5 × 3 m spacing (0.45% and 0.58%, respectively). Variety IPL 316 exhibited superior nutrient profiles with higher nitrogen, potassium, calcium, copper, and zinc concentrations compared to L 4727. Denser plantations (5 × 3 m) produced maximum litterfall (1.19 Mg ha⁻¹), with peak nutrient release during January–February, indicating efficient nutrient recycling. Phosphorus and potassium concentrations in litter were also higher under closer spacings. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) decreased with increasing tree density, ranging from 652.85 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in sole lentil to 135.26 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ under 5 × 3 m spacing. The 5 × 3 m spacing achieved the highest total biomass (42.7 Mg ha⁻¹), carbon stock (21.32 Mg ha⁻¹), and CO₂ sequestration potential (78.37 Mg ha⁻¹). Economically, the same spacing yielded maximum gross returns (US$ 4227 ha⁻¹), net returns (US$ 2783 ha⁻¹), and benefit–cost ratio (2.92). Conclusion: In conclusion, closer planting geometry of M. dubia (5 × 3 m) enhanced biomass, carbon storage, and profitability without compromising lentil quality. The integration of lentil under M. dubia optimized resource use, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration, demonstrating its suitability for sustainable and climate-resilient agroforestry in Bundelkhand.

Background: Lentil (Lens culinaris) is a major rainfed crop cultivated in Bundelkhand region and Malabar Neem (Melia dubia), a fast-growing tree species of significant economic and ecological importance. This study underscores the ecological benefits of optimized tree spacing with lentil varieties in agroforestry systems for Bundelkhand region. Methods: The present study entitled was conducted during the year 2023-2024 employed a split plot design with four levels of tree spacings under main plot and two levels of lentil (Lens culinaris) varieties under sub-plot with three replications. Growth and yield analysis of lentil varieties was estimated along with effect of tree spacing on soil properties. Result: The results revealing that from main plot, the sole cropping (G0) and IPL 316 lentil variety (V1) from sub-plot consistently outperformed intercropped treatments as it exhibited highest plant growth parameters, shorter number of days to 50% flowering and maturity along with higher yield attributes compared to the intercropped treatments. Yield decreased with increasing tree density, with the lowest values under the agroforestry system spaced at 5 m x 3 m (G3) spacing. However, intercropping improved soil health, with the highest soil physico-chemical properties and microbial activity recorded in the agroforestry system spaced at 5 m x 3 m (G3) spacing. Despite lower yields, intercropping promoted long-term soil sustainability. Overall, IPL 316 (V1) was the best-performing variety and agroforestry with optimized tree spacing improved soil fertility in semi-arid regions.

Ailanthus excelsa based agroforestry offer farmers greater economic benefits, enhance soil health, address the decrease in national forest coverage (33%), and supply raw materials for both industries and the rural community's domestic needs. During the research, two different spacing of Ailanthus excelsa examined were 5 m × 4 m and 5 m × 3 m with two different growing conditions, namely sole cropping and intercropping. The data analysis indicates that the lentil varieties cultivated in open conditions had superior development and production characteristics compared to those produced under agroforestry. An analysis was conducted on various growth and yield characteristics of lentil varieties revealing a notable impact of growing conditions on both plant growth and yield parameters. The findings indicate that parameters such as plant height, number of primary branches, number of root nodules per plant at 90 DAS, dry matter accumulation, number of pods per plant, number of days taken to physiological maturity, number of daystaken to 50% flowering, straw yield, grain yield, biological yield were greater in IPL 316 variety over L 4727 under sole cropping as well as in agroforestry. Ailanthus excelsa based agroforestry gave higher net returns compared to sole cropping.

IJPAB - 2017 Volume 5, issue 1