Economic returns of apricot- and cherry-based agroforestry systems with garlic and onion intercrops in the Kashmir Himalayas

Abstract

Fruit-based agroforestry systems in Kashmir have the potential to improve farm productivity and profitability, yet their performance under different intercrop combinations requires systematic evaluation. The present study was conducted at the experimental field of the Division of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K, Benhama, Ganderbal, from October 2022 to June 2023. A randomized block design (RBD) was used with three replications and ten treatment combinations involving 3-year-old Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) and Cherry (Prunus avium) plantations. Two intercrops garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa) were grown in different combinations: sole fruit trees, sole intercrops, and integrated tree–crop systems. Growth and yield attributes of garlic and onion, including total biomass, bulb diameter, weight per bulb, and related parameters, were generally higher under sole cropping compared to agroforestry conditions. In contrast, fruit yields of apricot and cherry were higher when both intercrops were grown together, particularly under Apricot + Garlic + Onion (7.57 t ha⁻¹) and Cherry + Garlic + Onion (6.74 t ha⁻¹) treatments. The findings demonstrate that integrating garlic and onion with young apricot and cherry plantations can substantially improve the economic performance of the system. The diversified combinations, particularly Apricot + Garlic + Onion, consistently generated higher returns, indicating that such integrations offer a practical and profitable option for farmers in temperate agroforestry regions.