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Does litterfall from native trees support rainfed agriculture? Analysis of Ficus trees in agroforestry systems of southern dry agroclimatic zone of Karnataka, southern India

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Abstract

Trees of the genus Ficus, integral components of indigenous rainfed agro-ecosystems of the southern dry agro-climatic zone of Karnataka, southern India, have traditionally been associated with the ecological service of soil quality enhancement in addition to various direct use benefits. We assessed the soil enrichment service of Ficus benghalensis L. a common Ficus species in these agroforestry systems, by quantifying nutrient return via litter fall. Litterfall estimation and chemical analysis of litter showed that F. benghalensis trees produce 3,512 kg·ha−1 of litter annually which, on decomposition, can satisfy up to 76.70 % of N, 20.24% of P and 67.76% of K requirements of dryland crops annually per hectare. This can lead to an avoided cost of compost of US $ 36.46 ha−1·a−1 in dryland farming systems. The slow rate of decay of Ficus litter, as revealed in litter decomposition studies indicates its potential as ideal mulch for dryland soils. We discuss the complementarity between Ficus litterfall and cropping patterns in Mandya, and its implications for rainfed agricultural systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tree improvement and Propagation Division, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Malleswaram, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560003, India

    B. Dhanya

  2. College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, PB No.329, Raichur, Karnataka, 584102, India

    B. Dhanya

  3. Tree improvement and Propagation Division, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Malleswaram, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560003, India

    Syam Viswanath

  4. Centre for Environment and Development, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560064, India

    Seema Purushothaman

Authors
  1. B. Dhanya
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  2. Syam Viswanath
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  3. Seema Purushothaman
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Correspondence to B. Dhanya.

Additional information

Fund projects: This work is supported by, University Grants Commission, Government of India, New Delhi and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehra Dun.

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Dhanya, B., Viswanath, S. & Purushothaman, S. Does litterfall from native trees support rainfed agriculture? Analysis of Ficus trees in agroforestry systems of southern dry agroclimatic zone of Karnataka, southern India. Journal of Forestry Research 24, 333–338 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-013-0357-6

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