Resource use and benefits of mixed farming approach in arecanut ecosystem in India. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: S., Sujatha; Bhat, Ravi
• Is Part Of: Agricultural systems. Volume 141(2015)
• Page Start: 126
• Page End: 137
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Arecanut -- Mixed farming -- Livestock -- Ecosystem services; Agricultural systems -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 338.16
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2015.10.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-521X

Abstract

Abstract: An eight-year experiment studied the sustainability, profitability, interdependencies and ecosystem services of crop–livestock integration in an arecanut plantation (ABMS) in humid tropics of India during 2007–2014. Arecanut registered similar kernel yields in both sole and intercropped systems in all years. The sole Napier Bajra Hybrid (NBH) recorded significantly higher green fodder yield than intercropped NBH. There was 5–47% yield reduction in intercropped NBH in different plantations over sole NBH on unit area basis. The total standing carbon stocks were significantly higher in arecanut + fodder system (210–228 t ha − 1 ) than arecanut sole and fodder sole. Total water use was 47 to 50% higher in arecanut sole (2340–3280 m 3 ) compared to ABMS (1178–1546 m 3 ) per unit area. The contribution of livestock to total outflows was high (82 to 87%) from 2008 to 2014 except in establishment year of dairy unit (54%). On an average, organic waste recycling potential of arecanut + dairy unit was 13.7 t ha − 1 and dairy unit alone contributed to 87% of the manure production. Total nutrient supply from ABMS after recycling to the system was estimated at 218 kg N, 51.8 kg P and 33 kg K that can meet N and P demand of 1.7 and 2.2 ha of arecanut, respectively. The farm gate nutrient surplus was five times higher than utilization in ABMS that enables farmers to earn higher profits. The use of hard laterite soil for livestock enterprises like dairy, fishery and fodder cultivation resulted in improved resource use efficiency and profits per unit area per unit time. Dairy was economical under all scenarios due to on-farm fodder availability throughout the year. Our main recommendations are to include livestock components in arecanut ecosystem to adapt to climate change scenario, to provide ecosystem services and to reduce ecological imbalances arising due to continuous cultivation of perennial crop. Highlights: Explored ecosystem services of arecanut based mixed farming (ABMS). About 5–47% yield reduction in intercropped fodder over sole on unit area basis. Carbon storage was higher in arecanut + fodder than sole arecanut and fodder. Water use was 47 to 50% higher in sole arecanut than ABMS per unit area and time. Livestock contributed to 82–87% of total outflows in ABMS except in first year.