Nutrient cycling and soil productivity studies of homestead agroforestry systems of Southern Kerala
By: Joise Abraham.
Contributor(s): Achuthan Nair M (Guide).
Material type:
BookPublisher: Vellayani Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture 1997DDC classification: 630 Online resources: Click here to access online | Click here to access online Dissertation note: MSc Abstract: A study was undertaken to investigate on the nutrient dynamics and soil productivity aspects of a 0.48 ha size homestead in Thiruvananthapuram district of southern Kerala for a period of one year from June 1994 to May 1995.
The experimental homestead was a coconut-based one, inhabited by a family of seven members. Apart from coconut, other tree components in the homestead were jack, ailanthus, mahogany, wild jack, mango, papaya, annona, guava, rose apple, bilimbi and cinnamon. These trees were intercropped with annual crops like banana, cassava, amorphophallus, colocasia, ginger, turmeric and vegetables. The homestead had a cropping intensity of 140 per cent. Animal components of the homestead included a cow and its calf, two goats and their lambs and 23 poultry birds.
The study revealed that the nutrient addition by litterfall and plant cycling (which includes throughfall and stemflow) in the homestead resulted in the addition of large quantity of nutrients to the soil. The annual litter addition to the homestead from different trees amounted to 384.64 kg, with a nutrient input of 4.3543, 1.1661 and 3.0231 kg of N, P, and K respectively. Nutrient addition by throughfall accounted to 13.5715, 1.5683 and 28.4241 kg and that of stemflow was estimated to be 0.5695, 0.0306 and 0.9268 kg of N, P and K respectively. Livestock and poultry added 38.21, 19.38 and 27.39 kg of N, P and K respectively to the homestead. The harvested produce of different crops removed 23.04 kg N, 5.97 kg P and 14.59 kg K from the homestead. During the period of study the homestead had a net nutrient gain of 33.6653, 16.1750 and 45.1740 kg of N, P and K respectively.
Studies on the soil physical, chemical and biological properties of the homestead showed a favourable edge over the control. Lesser soil temperature, low bulk density, higher available nutrient status, higher organic carbon content, lesser pH and higher microbial population were observed in the homestead soil than that in the control.
Light intensity in the homestead was found to be less than 30% of that in control, beneath all of the major tree species. Economic analysis of the homestead showed that the farmer could generate a gross income of Rs. 45781/- by investing an amount of Rs. 19312. The overall benefit: cost of the homestead was found to be 2.37. The system, in general, was found to be profitable and sustainable.
| Item type | Current location | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Theses
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KAU Central Library, Thrissur Theses | 630 JOI/NU (Browse shelf) | Available | 171237 |
MSc
A study was undertaken to investigate on the nutrient dynamics and soil productivity aspects of a 0.48 ha size homestead in Thiruvananthapuram district of southern Kerala for a period of one year from June 1994 to May 1995.
The experimental homestead was a coconut-based one, inhabited by a family of seven members. Apart from coconut, other tree components in the homestead were jack, ailanthus, mahogany, wild jack, mango, papaya, annona, guava, rose apple, bilimbi and cinnamon. These trees were intercropped with annual crops like banana, cassava, amorphophallus, colocasia, ginger, turmeric and vegetables. The homestead had a cropping intensity of 140 per cent. Animal components of the homestead included a cow and its calf, two goats and their lambs and 23 poultry birds.
The study revealed that the nutrient addition by litterfall and plant cycling (which includes throughfall and stemflow) in the homestead resulted in the addition of large quantity of nutrients to the soil. The annual litter addition to the homestead from different trees amounted to 384.64 kg, with a nutrient input of 4.3543, 1.1661 and 3.0231 kg of N, P, and K respectively. Nutrient addition by throughfall accounted to 13.5715, 1.5683 and 28.4241 kg and that of stemflow was estimated to be 0.5695, 0.0306 and 0.9268 kg of N, P and K respectively. Livestock and poultry added 38.21, 19.38 and 27.39 kg of N, P and K respectively to the homestead. The harvested produce of different crops removed 23.04 kg N, 5.97 kg P and 14.59 kg K from the homestead. During the period of study the homestead had a net nutrient gain of 33.6653, 16.1750 and 45.1740 kg of N, P and K respectively.
Studies on the soil physical, chemical and biological properties of the homestead showed a favourable edge over the control. Lesser soil temperature, low bulk density, higher available nutrient status, higher organic carbon content, lesser pH and higher microbial population were observed in the homestead soil than that in the control.
Light intensity in the homestead was found to be less than 30% of that in control, beneath all of the major tree species. Economic analysis of the homestead showed that the farmer could generate a gross income of Rs. 45781/- by investing an amount of Rs. 19312. The overall benefit: cost of the homestead was found to be 2.37. The system, in general, was found to be profitable and sustainable.
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