D. sissoo monoculture showed higher yield and lower water footprint, outperforming mixed-species agroforestry systems.
Authors
Yogesh Kumar, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India
Anita Thakur, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India
Digvesh Kumar Patel, Department of Environmental Science, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (A Central University), Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India
Rupesh Kumar, Professor, Jindal Global Business School (JGBS), O. P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India
Munesh Kumar, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India
Tarun Kumar Thakur, Department of Environmental Science, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (A Central University), Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India
Summary
The research conducted on the water footprint of agroforestry in the northern hill region of central India employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five treatments and four replications. One-year-old plants were planted with specific spacing between and within rows. Each treatment plot measured 360 square meters, with a clear strip left between replications and treatments. The treatments included different ratios of Dalbergia sissoo L. and Emblica officinalis Gaertn. In June 2016 there were 16 plants in each treatment. The water footprint of the land use systems was calculated using FAO’s CROPWAT 8.0 software.
The results indicated that the treatment with 100% D. sissoo had the smallest water footprint, while the treatment with 25% E. officinalis Gaertn. + 75% D. sissoo L had the largest water footprint. This suggests that the presence and ratio of E. officinalis Gaertn. affected the water footprint of the agroforestry system. Furthermore, it was observed that the pure Sissoo treatment had a higher yield and a lower water footprint compared to the mixed tree species treatment. This indicates the potential benefits of monoculture over mixed-species agroforestry systems in terms of water use efficiency and productivity.
Published in: Water Footprints: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
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