Understory pasture, top feed and fire wood productivity of anjan tree (Hardwickia binata) based silvopasture systems under moisture conservation practices and grasses

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2013 to 2018 on five years-old Hardwickia binata based silvopasture system at ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi. The treatment consisted of establishment of three grasses in association with H. binata and construction of three moisture conservation practices. Establishment of Chrysopogon fulvus in association with H. binata recorded significantly higher dry pasture yield (6.25, 6.39 and 6.19 t ha^-1) as compared to Panicum maximum during 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th years, respectively. However, in 1^st and 2^nd years,P. maximum recorded maximum pasture yield (6.85 and 7.28 t ha^-1), followed by Cenchrus ciliaris (6.47 and 6.95 t ha^-1). In moisture conservation practices, staggered trenches recorded significantly higher dry top feed (0.68, 0.78, 0.96, 1.06 and 1.21 t ha^-1) and fire wood (0.65, 0.70, 0.85, 1.05 and 1.40 t ha^-1) of H. binata as compared to control treatment-without trenches and bund in all the five years of the study. C. fulvus recorded maximum net returns (Rs 35485 ha^-1) and benefit:cost ratio (1.53), followed by C. ciliaris (Rs 33853 ha^-1 and 1.51) and P. maximum (Rs 32107 ha^-1 and 1.49) utilized in grazing mode by goats and sheep at the rate of 2 ACU.