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A field experiment was conducted during 2020 at the experimental farm of Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh to study the influence of planting conditions, nutrient sources and intercropping patterns on production of Capsicum annum in mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design having crops C annuum and Glycine max in kharif season with three factors viz two planting conditions, five intercropping patterns and three nutrient sources. The results revealed that among the planting conditions, maximum yield of C annum was recorded in open condition. In case of intercropping patterns and nutrient sources, higher fruit diameter, length and yield of C annum were recorded in sole cropping on application of RDF along with FYM while minimum were recorded in intercropping with control where no manure was applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of the species for dendrochronological studies is of great relevance to understand various aspects of climate change. However, in the northwestern Himalayan region, dendroclimatological investigations are confined to conifer species, with broadleaved species being disregarded. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess the growth response of seven multipurpose tree species (MPTs), namely Bauhinia variegata, Celtis australis, Grewia optiva, Paulownia fortunei, Toona ciliata, Ulmus villosa and Melia composita to local climate variables, viz. temperature as well as rainfall (seasonal, monthly, average) and CO2 level by evaluating the climatic signal in tree ring chronologies at Solan district, India (altitude 1 250 m) in the mid-hills of the northwestern Himalayas. The results indicated that only the maximum, rainy season temperature and CO2 level varied significantly (P < 0.05) between 1991 and 2017. Only G. optiva exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) tendency toward increased growth. C. australis has a remarkable negative correlation with temperature variables, viz. average, maximum, spring season, March temperature, whereas T. ciliata exhibits a positive correlation with temperature variables, such as rainy season, average and April temperature. Similarly, winter, total and December rainfall have a profound effect on P. fortunei, while March rainfall adversely affected the growth of B. variegata. On the other hand, G. optiva demonstrated sensitivity to both temperature (February and May) and rainfall variables (winter, February and May). U. villosa recorded a positive correlation with rainfall (autumn and October rainfall) but a negative correlation with temperature variables (maximum and April temperature). Elevated CO2 levels affected only two species (G. optiva, M. composita) out of the seven selected species. Our findings will contribute to a better understanding of the climate growth relationships of investigated tree species, as a result, to more accurate projections of the effects of climate change on these MPTs and directing future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health of soil is important being an integral part of any production system. As agroforestry aims to maintain the sustainability in the system, therefore, soil status under any agroforestry system plays key role. This study was conducted at Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan, HP (India) under Morus based agroforestry system. Methods: The present investigation was carried out during 2016 from month of July to October for quantifying the effect of application of organic manures on soil physico-chemical properties under Morus based agroforestry system. Five soil samples from each experimental plot were collected separately and a single representative composite sample was drawn for each plot replicated three times. The analysis of soil was carried out with standard adopted procedures. Result: Findings of the study revealed that different organic manure combinations were having significant influence on various soil physico-chemical properties. Maximum improvement in terms of soil physico-chemical parameters was found for the application of 100% poultry manure. Further, soil properties were found to be better under the influence of tree canopy as compared to open condition suggesting key role of trees in improving soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An on‐farm bamboo intercropping study was conducted near Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India. It uses a split‐plot design with two bamboo species (Dendrocalamus asper and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii) and an open field condition as main plots, under which ginger (Zingiber officinale) was grown at five nutrient levels supplied through chemical fertilizers and organic sources (subplots). In the intercropping with bamboo species, ginger yield increased by 10.5–15.6% in comparison to the open field condition. Application of farmyard manure (FYM) based on N equivalent ratio showed the best (P ≤.05) yield response of ginger (rhizome length, 7.65 cm; yield, 4,028 kg ha−1). Photoactive radiation was reduced by 60% under the bamboo canopy. Simultaneously, higher soil moisture (%) content was noticed for D. asper. Various soil physico‐chemical properties (top 0–15 cm) were significantly higher in the FYM treatment under D. asper than under D. hamiltonii or sole ginger cropping. Maximum returns (3,595.67 US$ ha−1 yr−1) were realized when the ginger crop was raised under the canopy of D. asper and supplied with FYM on N equivalent ratio + plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria. Overall, the results establish that ginger production in the northwest Himalayan region of India is a viable use of land resources for improved economic returns. Core Ideas: Identification of the scientific designed bamboo based agroforestry systems is vital.Ginger in bamboo alleys has vast potential for increasing productivity and maintain soil health.Organic manures with biofertilizers can sustain bamboo‐based agroforestry systems in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]