Soil quality enhancement in arecanut (Areca catechu)-based agroforestry system: Insights from organic farming and integrated nutrient management

VENKATESH  PARAMESH; PARVEEN  KUMAR; R MOHAN  KUMAR; DINESH  JINGER; SANGAPPA  CHILLARGE; SUBHRADIP  BHATTACHARJEE; MANJANAGOUDA S  SANNAGOUDAR

doi:10.56093/ijas.v95i3.162261

Authors

VENKATESH PARAMESH ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa 403 402, India
PARVEEN KUMAR University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka
R MOHAN KUMAR University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka
DINESH JINGER ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Research Centre, Anand, Gujarat
SANGAPPA CHILLARGE ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana
SUBHRADIP BHATTACHARJEE ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa 403 402, India
MANJANAGOUDA S SANNAGOUDAR ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, Regional Station, Bengaluru, Karnataka

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v95i3.162261

Keywords:

Fertility, Mixed farming system, Productivity, Soil health, Soil microbial activity

Abstract

Enhancing soil productivity through appropriate land management practices aligns agricultural output with improved ecosystem services. A field survey was undertaken among 70 farmers in five major arecanut (Areca catechu L.) growing subdivisions of Goa: Ponda, Bicholim, Satari, Pernem, and Canacona This research aimed to quantitatively assess the effects of nutrient management practices namely no manure (NM), organic manure (OM), and integrated nutrient management (INM), on soil quality in an arecanut-based agroforestry system. The study was carried out during 2021–22 focusing on seven key soil parameters such as microbial biomass carbon (MBC), bulk density (BD), soil organic carbon (SOC), Zn, Mn, P, and B to establish a minimum data set (MDS), which was then converted into a soil quality index using non-linear scoring functions. The results showed that organic farming yielded a significantly higher soil quality index (0.61), followed by integrated nutrient management (0.58). The findings suggest that implementing organic farming techniques alongside effective crop management strategies is crucial for maximizing the potential of arecanut-based agroforestry systems to boost soil quality and achieve long-term sustainability.

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