Does litterfall from native trees support rainfed agriculture？ Analysis of Ficus trees in agroforestry systems of southern dry agroclimatic zone of Karnataka, southern India

编号 zgly0000818201

文献类型 期刊论文

文献题名 Does litterfall from native trees support rainfed agriculture？ Analysis of Ficus trees in agroforestry systems of southern dry agroclimatic zone of Karnataka, southern India

作者 B.  Dhanya  Syam  Viswanath  Seema  Purushothaman 

作者单位 Tree  improvement  and  Propagation  Division 

母体文献 林业研究: 英文版 

年卷期 2013(2)

页码 333-338

年份 2013 

分类号 S 

关键词 soil  enrichment  litter  traps  litter  bags  litter  decomposition  complementarity 

文摘内容       Trees of the genus Ficus, integral components of indigenous rainfed agro-ecosystems of the southern dry agro-climatic zone of Karnataka, southern India, have traditionally been associated with the ecological service of soil quality enhancement in addition to various direct use benefits. We assessed the soil enrichment service of Ficus benghalensis L. a common Ficus species in these agroforestry systems, by quantifying nutrient return via litter fall. Litterfall estimation and chemical analysis of litter showed that F. benghalensis trees produce 3,512 kg ha-1 of litter annually which, on decomposition, can satisfy up to 76.70 % of N, 20.24% of P and 67.76% of K requirements of dryland crops annually per hectare. This can lead to an avoided cost of compost of US $ 36.46 ha-1·a-1 in dryland farming systems. The slow rate of decay of Ficus litter, as revealed in litter decomposition studies indicates its potential as ideal mulch for dryland soils. We discuss the complementarity between Ficus litterfall and cropping patterns in Mandya, and its implications for rainfed agricultural systems.