Performance of aonla (Emblica officinalis) - based hortipastoral system in semi-arid region under rainfed situation

Abstract

A study was conducted during 1996-2005 to determine the level of applied nitrogen for optimization of fruit and forage production in aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn)-based hortipastoral system. Among nitrogen treatments highest dose of N (60 kg/ha) gave significantly higher pasture yield (4.04 tonnes dry matter/ha) with aonla tree compared with the pure pasture condition (3.73 tonnes dry matter/ha). The pasture production was higher in association with tree (3.38 tonnes dry matter/ha) compared with the pure pasture (3.07 tonnes dry matter/ha) but statistically at par. The fruit production started from fifth year (2000) of planting and maximum fruit production of 13.25 tonnes/ha was recorded when 60 kg N/ha was applied to the grass component. The mean benefit : cost ratio was 1 : 1.85 for pure pasture and 1 : 3.70 for hortipasture system. Similarly pure pasture production generates 2.07 man-days/month and hortipasture system 4.15 man days/month employment.