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In a field experiment having 33 plots under 1.55 ha area, although plots under agroforestry systems have huge potential for increased biomass productivity and soil conservation, little information is available on decomposition behaviour of leaf litters from different hedges and multipurpose trees (MPTs) in the Indian sub-Himalayas. Hence, an experiment was carried out to study the growth performance, biomass production, annual nutrient accumulation and rate kinetics of leaf litter decomposition of six promising hedgerow species and four MPTs in the Eastern Himalayas, India with three replications in randomized block design (RBD). Significant (p<0.05) variations were observed for survival and growth performance of hedges and MPTs. Significant variations were also recorded for biomass production between species. Hedge species had significantly higher biomass production and nutrient concentrations compared with the MPTs. Among all species, biomass production by Crotolaria tetragona was highest. On average, hedges accumulated 59.68, 11.95 and 28.31 kg ha-1 yr-1 of N, P and K, respectively, whereas MPTs contributed only 18.13, 0.77 and 7.18 kg ha-1 yr-1, respectively. The decomposition pattern of different leaf litter represented triphasic phenomena, wherein hedgerow litter reached the peak of the rapid decomposition phase within two months. Cumulative decomposition of the leaf litter from MPTs was considerably less within the same time frame. Thus, planting of hedges is recommended under agroforestry system in the Indian sub-Himalayas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a field experiment, soil moisture, soil and nutrient losses, and surface run-off in agri-silviculture (hedgerow and alder based) and agri-horticulture (guava based) agroforestry systems (AFS) were monitored for five consecutive years (2002-2006). Soil moisture was significantly (p=0.05) higher in agri-silvi based AFS compared with sole crop field (control; without a tree). On average, soil loss was 1.97±0.19, 8.91±0.98 and 12.49±1.22 t ha-1, respectively, in hedgerow, alder and guava based AFS compared to as high as 35.27±2.96 t ha-1 in the control plots. Mean (of all AFS systems) surface run-off was about 70% less in the plots under AFS compared with the control plots (1643.4 mm). Hedgerow based AFS was most efficient in minimizing surface run-off compared to other land use systems. Rainfall had significant positive (p<0.01) correlation with soil and nutrient loss. Significant monthly variations were also observed for nutrient loss in different AFS. Irrespective of monthly variations, organic carbon loss ranged from 1.09±0.04-1.11±0.10% in different AFS compared to 0.96±0.06% in control. Average nitrogen loss ranged from 172.0±11.45-175.08±9.43 kg ha-1 in various AFS as against of 169.17±12.33 kg ha-1 in control plots. Range of phosphorus and potassium loss was, respectively, 6.19±0.63-6.49±0.54 and 165.0±11.45-175.08±13.05 kg ha-1. In control plots, loss of phosphorus and potassium was found to be 6.49±0.33 and 169.0±10.50 kg ha-1, accordingly. All these systems have been reported to be ecologically and economically viable in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted in the North Eastern Himalayan region of India to evaluate the productivity of different animal-fish integrations viz. duck-cum-fish, poultry-cum-fish, goat-cum-fish, pig-cum-fish, and cattle-cum-fish. Among various integrations, cattle-cum-fish had the maximum fish yield (2,686.0 kg/ha), followed by fish-cum-duck (2,173.0 kg/ha), fish-cum-pig (2,046.0 kg/ha), fish-cum-poultry (2,006.0 kg/ha), and fish-cum-goat (1,867.0 kg/ha) compared to 757.0 kg/ha in unfed/unfertilized control ponds. Among fish species, highest growth rate was recorded for silver carp (Hypopthalmichthys molitrix) in all the integrations (201.0 to 591.0 g/fish), followed by mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala, 160.0 to 370.0 g/fish). The implications of the results for development of suitable integrated agro-aquaculture models in humid tropics are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative analysis of 19 indigenous fuelwood species of Eastern Himalaya, India was carried out to identify trees with potential for firewood production. A fuelwood value index was the criteria for screening of the species and defined as the calorific value X density/ash content. Over-all rank sum index of the major firewood species was also assessed on the basis of firewood characteristics, fuelwood production, and availability in the region. The results showed that Castanopsis indica, Phoebe attenuata, Macropanax undulatum, Ixonanthes khasiana, Morus laevigata, Caryota urens, Lithocarpus elegans, and Litsea laeta are the most preferred firewood species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sales of fermented, roasted and boiled bamboo shoots in the market places of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim, of the North-Eastern Himalayan (NEH) region, India have been reported. The results are based on the survey of 118 markets covering 1200 primary and secondary vendors from 51 districts of NEH region. The consumption of fermented, roasted and boiled shoots was estimated to be ca. 680 tonnes; the highest occurs in Arunachal Pradesh (481 tonnes/year) and the lowest in Nagaland (19.5 tonnes/year). The bamboo shoots are consumed in the form of fermented-slice, crushed-fermented moist, crushed-fermented dry, fermented whole shoot, roasted whole shoot and boiled whole shoot in different states of the region. Cost–return analysis for sales of these bamboo products revealed a net income of 23 million rupees per annum (US$ 502 950) from the entire region with the highest (17.5 million rupees/year or US$ 38 270) in Arunachal Pradesh and the lowest in Sikkim (0.47 million rupees/year or US$ 10 280). Employment opportunities have also been worked out and ca. 1260 persons/year could earn their subsistence through selling of bamboo shoot products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]