Sustainability of agroforestry systems on acid soils for livelihood security Sharma U.C.1, Sharma Vikas2 1Centre for Natural Resources Management, V. P. O. Tarore, Jammu-181133 (J & K) 2S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Chatha, Jammu-180009 (J & K) Online published on 23 May, 2017. Abstract A long-term study was conducted with four land use systems; agroforestry (LU-1), agri-horti-silvo-pastoral (LU-2), agriculture with alder (Alnus nepalensis) (LU-3), and shifting cultivation (slash and burn) (LU-4) to see their effect on the soil properties, soil erosion and crop productivity. The sediment yield varied from 0.27 to 0.75 Mg ha1 in LU-1, 0.11 to 0.37 Mg ha1 in LU-2 and 2.76 to 4.52 Mg ha1 in LU-3 as against 26.69 to 45.80 Mg ha1 in LU-4. In ten years of study, there was substantial build-up of available P and K over the initial status in LU-1, LU-2 and LU-3 compared to LU-4, in which the available P status remained almost constant. Available K in LU-4 increased in the beginning after burning of forest vegetation but subsequently decreased to initial value after four years. Agroforestry systems ameliorated the soils by enhancing soil pH and decreasing the exchangeable Al content in the soil and, thus, helping in higher availability of native as well as applied nutrients and enhancing the crop productivity. The agroforestry systems ensured the livelihood security and farm income. Top Keywords Acid soils, Agroforestry systems, Livelihood security, Sustainability. Top |