Agroforestry Systems最新文献

{"title":"Intensification of pasture-based livestock systems: environmental benefits, forage availability, nutritional value and Nellore cattle performance","authors":"Flávia Cristina dos Santos,&nbsp;Nivaldo Karvatte Junior,&nbsp;Roberto Giolo de Almeida,&nbsp;Manoel Ricardo de Albuquerque Filho,&nbsp;Lourival Vilela,&nbsp;Renato Vinicius Oliveira Castro,&nbsp;Alice Lane Pereira Feitosa da Rocha,&nbsp;Márcia Cristina Teixeira da Silveira","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01177-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01177-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Silvopastoral systems have been acknowledged as efficient generators of important environmental benefits, worldwide, improving pasture quality and providing thermal comfort and animal welfare, when in comparison to traditional monoculture pasture systems. In this sense, an experiment was carried out to assess forest component inclusion to intensify pasture-based livestock systems. For that, the microclimate was monitored, and the Heat Load Index was estimated, forage production and nutritional values were assessed, Nellore cattle performance and enteric methane emissions were estimated and carbon stock in the stem of eucalyptus clones AEC 144 (<i>Eucalyptus urophylla</i>) and AEC 2034 ((<i>Eucalyptus camaldulensis</i> x <i>E. grandis</i>) x <i>E. urophylla</i>) were calculated. The analyzed eucalyptus clones were distributed in simple–line rows (2 × 25 m; 155 trees ha⁻¹) under silvopastoral system set with <i>Urochloa</i> (<i>syn. Brachiaria</i>) <i>brizantha</i> cv. Piatã to be compared to traditional monoculture pasture system set with <i>Urochloa brizantha</i> cv. Marandu. The silvopastoral system led to microclimatic conditions accounting for better thermal distribution and for fewer daily heat–accumulation hours over the 2 year study. Forage production and nutritional value were significantly higher and seasonally stable, and it led to better animal performance per area than the traditional system. Furthermore, enteric methane emissions were lower during the rainy season and the forest component had positive influence on the carbon stock in stems. Thus, using trees to intensify pasture-based livestock systems improves animal performance gain by neutralizing enteric methane emissions, promoting better thermal distribution and greater stability in forage production and nutritional value.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143769726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Drivers and barriers of residual agroforestry biomass valorization: a systematic literature review","authors":"Prabalta Rijal,&nbsp;Helena Carvalho,&nbsp;João Matias,&nbsp;Susana Garrido,&nbsp;Carina Pimentel","doi":"10.1007/s10457-024-01131-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-024-01131-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This systematic review explores the drivers and barriers of residual agroforestry biomass valorization, examining technological, economic, and policy-related factors. The review encompasses studies from 2000 to 2024. The selected papers include peer-reviewed articles and technical reports addressing residual agroforestry biomass technologies, policies, market trends, and environmental impacts from around the world. Key barriers identified include insufficient support from the public and private sectors, inadequate stakeholder training, limited research investment and high production costs. Conversely, drivers such as advanced technologies like pyrolysis and gasification, and supportive policies, including subsidies and tax incentives, can encourage biomass valorization. The review highlights the potential of residual biomass for diverse applications beyond bioenergy, such as medicinal products, construction materials, and consumer goods. Future research should focus on comprehensive utilization pathways, optimizing biomass collection and conversion technologies, and assessing the economic and environmental impacts of various applications. Additionally, effective policy mechanisms and risk management strategies for stakeholders are crucial for promoting sustainable business models. By addressing these areas, future studies can enhance the sustainable development of the residual agroforestry biomass sector, contributing to environmental sustainability, rural development, economic growth, and advancing the bioeconomy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143769725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The proximate and secondary metabolites of the leaf fodder of Searsia species are affected by seasons in the North West province of South Africa","authors":"Onke Hawu,&nbsp;Hilda K. Mokoboki,&nbsp;Cornelia K. Lebopa,&nbsp;Zimbili Mkhize,&nbsp;Khuliso E. Ravhuhali","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01176-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01176-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The study was carried out to assess seasonal variation in the proximate principles, secondary metabolites, and in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) of <i>Searsia</i> species. The leaves of <i>Searsia lancea</i> and <i>Searsia pyroides</i> were harvested during the autumn, winter, spring, and summer seasons. Samples were analysed for proximate principles, qualitative and quantitative secondary metabolites, and IVDMD. Solvents (methanol and distilled water) were used to prepare cold extracts for qualitative analysis of secondary metabolites. Data were analysed using a two-way analysis of variance. The lowest (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and cellulose were recorded for <i>S. lancea</i> compared to <i>S. pyroides</i>. The highest (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) crude protein (CP) content (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) was produced in summer. The lowest (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) NDF, ADF, ADL, and cellulose (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) was in the summer season, compared to other seasons. Within each species, both species had the lowest (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) NDF and ADL in summer. There was no variation (<i>P</i> &gt; 0.05) in the content of ADL, cellulose, and hemicellulose between species in each season. Saponins were highly present in all seasons of both extracts in <i>S. lancea</i>, while they were moderately present in <i>S. pyroides</i>. Phlobatannins were moderately present in the methanol extract while absent in the water extract in all seasons. <i>Searsia pyroides</i> had the lowest (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) total phenolic, total tannins and condensed tannins (CT) content compared to <i>S. lancea</i>. The highest (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) IVDMD was recorded for <i>S. pyroides</i> at 36 and 48 h in all seasons. Both species have potential to be used as feed due to high CP and low fibre. However, in all seasons, these species had the highest CT concentration, which may reduce their feeding value when CTs are not deactivated.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-025-01176-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143716863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential responses of leguminous tree species to drought stress: implications for agroforestry and restoration in arid and semi-arid climates","authors":"Muhammad Madnee,&nbsp;Tanveer Hussain,&nbsp;Muhammad Azeem Sabir,&nbsp;Muhammad Abid,&nbsp;Muneeb Khalid,&nbsp;Hussain Ahmad Makki,&nbsp;Sajjad Ali,&nbsp;Nugraha Akbar Nurrochmat","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01178-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01178-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Drought stress significantly affects tree growth, physiology, and biochemical responses, influencing species selection for agroforestry in arid and semi-arid regions. This study evaluated the drought tolerance of four leguminous tree species (<i>Albizia lebbeck</i>, <i>Dalbergia sissoo</i>, <i>Prosopis cineraria</i> and <i>Vachellia nilotica</i>) under five drought stress treatments (T1 = 70%, T2 = 60%, T3 = 50%, T4 = 40%, T5 = 30% field capacity) for one year. Growth parameters, physiological traits and biochemical responses were observed. Data were analyzed using randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements. Results of the data analysis showed significant reductions (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) in shoot length, biomass, and chlorophyll content under severe drought (T5). Among the species, <i>P. cineraria</i> exhibited the highest drought tolerance, maintaining higher proline (8.22 mg g⁻¹) and phenolics (301.73 mg g⁻¹) levels, indicating strong osmotic and antioxidant responses. <i>D. sissoo</i> exhibited moderate resilience, while <i>A. lebbeck</i> and <i>V. nilotica</i> showed significant growth reductions under severe drought. Root biomass increased with drought stress, particularly in <i>V. nilotica</i>, suggesting an adaptive mechanism for water acquisition. Enzymatic antioxidant activities (SOD, CAT, POD) increased significantly in response to drought, particularly in <i>A. lebbeck</i>. These physiological and biochemical responses show that <i>P. cineraria</i> is the most drought-resistant species, recommended for restoration. At the same time, <i>A</i>. <i>lebbeck</i>, <i>V. nilotica</i> and <i>D. sissoo</i> are recommended for agroforestry in arid/semi-arid environments due to their growth potential under moderate drought conditions. These findings provide valuable insights for species selection in sustainable agroforestry and ecological restoration under increasing water scarcity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143716897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Vachellia etbaica on soil properties and socioeconomic benefits in Tigray Ethiopia","authors":"Negasi Solomon,&nbsp;Yirga Gufi,&nbsp;Hagos Gebru,&nbsp;Tigist Araya,&nbsp;Emiru Birhane","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01173-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01173-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Smallholder farmers face significant challenges such as soil infertility, land degradation, food insecurity, and climate vulnerability. In response, many farmers in Northern Ethiopia have integrated <i>Vachellia etbaica,</i> a drought-resistant tree native to the horn of Africa<i>,</i> into their land-use systems. However, its potential to improve soil fertility and provide socioeconomic benefits has not been fully explored. This study evaluates the effects of <i>V. etbaica</i> on soil properties and its contributions to local livelihoods in Tsrae-Womberta district, Tigray, Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from 120 composite sites, stratified by land use (grazing and cultivated lands), distances from trees, and soil depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm). Socioeconomic data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 92 randomly selected households. Significant differences (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) were observed in most soil properties, including moisture content, organic carbon, and total nitrogen, with levels decreasing as the distance from the tree increased, but increasing with soil depth. Eighty five percent of respondents valued <i>V. etbaica</i> for its firewood, charcoal, income generation, fencing, fodder, and traditional medicine. The study highlights that proper management of <i>V. etbaica</i> can improve soil fertility, enhance ecosystem resilience, and support local livelihoods. These findings offer valuable insights into the role of <i>V. etbaica</i> in sustainable land management and agroforestry practices that enhance soil health and resilience in similar ecological settings. The study underscores the tree’s potential to promote sustainable agriculture and improve rural economies, making it a crucial resource for smallholder farmers in comparable regions globally.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143716862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unraveling age-dependent potassium accumulation mechanisms and usage efficiency in two cupuaçu progenies in agroforestry systems","authors":"Diocléa Almeida Seabra Silva,&nbsp;Ismael de Jesus Matos Viégas,&nbsp;Luma Castro de Souza,&nbsp;Milton Garcia Costa,&nbsp;Cândido Ferreira de Oliveira Neto,&nbsp;Ricardo Shigueru Okumura","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01179-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01179-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>To fully realize the production potential and maintain the prominence of cupuaçu in the market, a comprehensive understanding of its mineral nutrition, especially potassium (K) absorption in agroforestry systems is necessary. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the dynamics of K accumulation and its usage efficiency throughout the life cycle in two cupuaçu progenies in agroforestry systems. An experimental design employing a 2 × 4 factorial scheme was utilized involving two distinct progenies (PMI 186—Codajás and PMI 215—Manacapuru) and four cultivation ages, with five repetitions. Statistical analyses encompassed regressions and analyses of variance to comprehend the K accumulation in progenies 186 and 215, as well as in their different plant components [leaves (L), stems (S), primary branches (PB), and secondary branches (SB)]. In the leaves of progeny 186, K decreased from 7.34 to 6.55 g kg⁻¹, while in progeny 215, it dropped from 6.56 to 4.80 g kg⁻¹. The stem of progeny 186 showed a reduction from 7.01 to 5.06 g kg⁻¹, and in progeny 215, a reduction from 6.96 to 4.25 g kg⁻¹. Notably, progeny 215 exhibited a consistent trend of accumulating more K than progeny 186 throughout the study period. These findings underscore the fundamental role of K in cupuaçu tree nutrition and reveal distinct patterns of K accumulation among the studied progenies. Such information provides valuable guidance for optimizing the production of this unique fruit tree in agroforestry systems in the Amazon.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143716864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fruit species composition and diversity patterns in eight age classes of cocoa agroforests, Ghana","authors":"Samuel Boadi,&nbsp;Collins Ayine Nsor,&nbsp;Shadrack Amoah Arthur,&nbsp;Akwasi Gyebi","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01167-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01167-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Fruits species incorporation in cocoa farms is characteristic of tropical cocoa agroforestry systems. This study assessed fruit species composition and diversity in eight age classes (C) of cocoa agroforests (CAFs). Fruit species were inventoried on 72 (100 × 100 m) plots among eight CAF age classes—C1 (1–5 years), C2 (6–10), C3 (11–15), C4 (16–20), C5 (21–25), C6 (26–30), C7 (31–35), C8 (36–40 years)—within three communities. Fruit species abundance, richness and diversity were estimated using Broken Stick model, Chao-1 model and Hill numbers respectively. A total of 445 individuals, 11 species and 8 families were recorded over a 72 ha area. Species abundances differed significantly ((F = 9.84, df = 26.5, <i>p</i> = 5.273E-06; Welch’s F test) among the age classes. Majority of species (78.4%) were introduced as new plants into the CAFs and were dominantly <i>P. americana</i> (n = 117), <i>Citrus spp.</i> (n = 82), <i>C. nucifera</i> (n = 74) and <i>Musa spp.</i> (n = 71) while <i>A. occidentale</i> (n = 2) was the least. Diversity was highest for C2 and least for C1. Chao-1 estimate showed that C5 was richest in fruit species, while C8 was the poorest. The presence of rare indigenous species (<i>Synsepalum dulcificum</i> and <i>Chrysophyllum albidum)</i> shows that fruit species management in CAFs alter vegetation composition but still contribute to biodiversity conservation goals in agricultural landscapes. Further research that relates fruit species diversity or abundances to cocoa productivity, soil properties and carbon sequestration is recommended.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10457-025-01167-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143706924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phyllostomid frugivorous bats benefit from vegetation complexity in abandoned shade coffee plantations","authors":"Ángel Neftalí Osorio-Rodríguez,&nbsp;Romeo A. Saldaña-Vázquez,&nbsp;Víctor Rosas-Guerrero,&nbsp;R. Carlos Almazán-Núñez","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01164-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01164-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Shade coffee plantations maintain a high diversity of frugivorous bat species with varied functional traits. However, there is limited evidence on how this diversity and functional traits are influenced by variations in vegetation structure. We evaluated the effect of vegetation complexity on the richness, diversity, abundance, and functional traits of frugivorous bat communities (and two functional groups: understory and canopy bat foragers) across three land use types—abandoned shade coffee plantations, active shade coffee plantations, and cattle pastures—in southern Mexico. In four sites for each-land use type, we conducted vegetation and understory- and canopy-foraging frugivorous bats surveys. We captured 680 frugivorous bats belonging to 12 species of the Phyllostomidae family; 76% were understory foragers, and 24% were canopy foragers. Abandoned and active coffee plantations exhibited the highest vegetation complexity and showed higher frugivorous bat richness, diversity, and abundance compared to cattle pastures. We also found differences in the composition and abundance of understory and canopy frugivorous bats between the two coffee plantation types, likely driven by differences in plant composition and vegetation structure. Functional traits of frugivorous bats, such as wing loading and body mass, were generally greater as vegetation complexity decreased, the opposite was found for aspect ratio in canopy frugivores, which were lower in cattle pastures compared to both coffee plantations. This study highlights the importance of current and abandoned shade coffee plantations in frugivorous bat conservation due to their capacity to sustain high species richness and bat communities with varying functional traits.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143668031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pomegranate based agroforestry systems for sustainable agriculture, achieving food security and mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration in Northwest Himalayas","authors":"Shiwangee,&nbsp;Navjot Singh Kaler,&nbsp;Muskan Sharma,&nbsp;Somdutt Sharma,&nbsp;Ajit Sharma","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01169-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01169-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Agroforestry is a climate-smart integrated land use management system that addresses food security concerns, sustains livelihood by generating subsistence income and addresses environmental challenges while serving as a carbon sink. In this context, the present study was conducted on an 8-year-old pomegranate plantation in a farmer’s field in the Himachal Pradesh region of India. The aim was to assess the effects of pomegranate trees on the growth and yield parameters of soybean (<i>Glycine max</i>) and mash (<i>Vigna mungo</i>) at two distances from the tree base: D₁ (0–1 m) and D₂ (1–2 m) and acknowledge the biomass and carbon sequestration potential of the Pomegranate based agroforestry system. In the results, out of these seven treatments: T₁: Pomegranate + Mash + D₁, T₂: Pomegranate + Mash + D₂, T₃: Pomegranate + Soybean + D₁, T₄: Pomegranate + Soybean + D₂, T₅: Sole Pomegranate, T₆: Sole Mash, T₇: Sole Soybean, the highest growth and yield of mash and soybean were recorded under the Pomegranate based agroforestry system at D₂ distance, closely followed by monocropping, whereas least when crops were intercropped with Pomegranate at D₁ distance. The treatment T₄ showed the highest grain yield and harvest index (1.86 t/ha and 33.94%), while the lowest values were found in T₁ (1.06 t/ha and 16.45%). Among all treatments, the maximum total biomass and carbon stock were found in T₂ (27.18 and 50.31 t/ha) while the lowest was in T₇ (4.31 and 26.75 t/ha), respectively. Overall, T₂ proved to be the best for biomass production and carbon sequestration potential, while T₄ was the most effective for yield compared to sole cropping systems. Hence, fruit-based agroforestry systems can be preferred by farmers over sole cropping systems for satisfying rural needs while mitigating climate change. Further, the findings of this research are significant for selecting various crop combinations in fruit-based land-use systems and for estimating the biomass and carbon sequestration potential of such systems, contributing to our understanding of carbon studies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143676449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of establishment techniques and performance of sandalwood (Santalum album L.) in commercial plantations in semi-arid tropics of India","authors":"Doddabasawa,&nbsp;B. M. Chittapur","doi":"10.1007/s10457-025-01172-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10457-025-01172-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sandalwood (<i>Santalum album</i> L.) is highly prized tree spreading across agrarian landscape for its commercial value particularly the sweet fragrant aromatic oil. The tree occurs in varied climate and soil, however, successful establishment of commercial sandalwood plantation is rather difficult mainly due to its non-specific root parasitization, and lack of research information on the performance of field grown sandalwood, mainly planting geometry, and the host species-sandalwood density/row ratio. Therefore, the present investigation on the assessment of production techniques and sandalwood performance under irrigated condition was carried out in the existing farm plantations in Yadagir and Kalaburagi districts of Karnataka in peninsular India having semi-arid climate. Growth and development of sandalwood was superior with multi-species (three) host combination [custard apple (<i>Annona squamosa</i>) + curry leaf (<i>Murraya koenigii</i>) + casuarina (<i>Casuarina equisetifolia</i>)] followed by two-host combination [mango (<i>Mangifera indica</i>) + custard apple],besides mahogany (<i>Swietenia macrophylla</i>) and mango (<i>Mangifera indica</i>) as single hosts in that order, while performance was not adequate with jamun (<i>Syzygium cumini</i>) and red sander (<i>Pterocarpus santalinus</i>) while was moderate with guava (<i>Psidium guajava</i>) and sapota (<i>Manilkara zapota</i>). Among the planting geometries, superior growth of sandalwood occurred with 6.0 × 6.0 m geometry for host species and sandalwood both in separate alternative rows followed by 4.0 × 4.0 m and 6.0 × 2.0 m geometries, while the growth was poor with 6.0 × 6.0 m (hosts species (H) to H); 6.0 × 3.0 m (sandalwood (S) to S) followed by 3.0 × 3.0 m and 2.5 × 2.5 m planting geometries for both host species and sandalwood. Similarly, superior performance of sandalwood occurred with H:S ratio of 1:1 as against 1:2, and when sandalwood was planted at 3.0 m away from the host plant followed by 2.0 m. Thus, for commercial plantation it is advised to include multiple hosts species (two or more) with a spacing of 6.0 × 6.0 m for both H to H and S to S, keeping sandalwood tree at 3.0 m distance from the host with an overall population 554 trees ha⁻¹ comprising 277 plants each of host species and sandalwood in the semi-arid region of peninsular India. Further, square planting with alternative rows of sandalwood followed by hosts or zig-zag planting with sandalwood in between hosts in separate alternate lines could be adopted advantageously, and whenever two or more host species mix is used one of the hosts must be of long rotation for instance mango with other commercial crops of short rotation as found in the present study.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7610,"journal":{"name":"Agroforestry Systems","volume":"99 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143676475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}