Biomass production and soil fertility from Dichrostachys cinerea + Cenchrus silvipastoral system in arid and semi-arid regions

Abstract

A long-term field experiment was conducted from 1988 to 1999 to assess the productivity performance of Dichrostachys cinerea Wight & Arn. based silvipastoral system and its effect on soil fertility during 1997-99. The biomass production of Dichrostachys cinerea and Cenchrus ciliaris L. was significantly influenced by different spacings Dichrostachys cinerea. The biomass production, fuel wood and leaf fodder yield of D. cinerea increased linearly with the decrease in row spacings, however, a reverse trend was noted in yield of Cenchrus ciliaris grass. In general, the fertility status of soil in terms of organic carbon, available nitrogen and phosphorus was drastically improved due to nutans-based silvipastoral systems as compared to the control (open field). Further improvement in soil fertility was noted when D. cinerea was planted at narrow row spacings.