A silvipastoral study combining Cenchrus ciliaris and three species of tree in arid India

A silvipastoral trial was conducted with five fodder tree species in combination with Cenchrus ciliaris, a common and prominent grass species of the frost-prone area of the Nagaur district of western Rajasthan, a part of the hot arid region of India. Survival, growth, biomass and effect on soil properties were evaluated for the trees. Maximum height (394 cm) and diameter at breast height (DBH) growth was observed for Ailanthus excelsa while survival (91%) and crown diameter (305 cm) were maximum for Zizyphus mauritiana after 4 years. Acacia nilotica was second (87%) in survival and third in growth, while Dichrostachys nutans and Azadirachta indica were not frost tolerant. Ailanthus excelsa had high total dry biomass (10.6 kg tree−1) and 90% allocation to stem. Choice of species and seasons significantly affected leaf, stem, and total biomass yield. The root system of Z. mauritiana was better developed than the other species. Soil analysis indicated that pH and percent organic carbon increased in the 0–25 cm soil layer after 3 years of tree growth. Mean maximum grass yield (1843.5 kg ha−1) was obtained with Z. mauritiana followed by Acacia nilotica (1507 kg ha−1). Species-wise and year-wise variation in grass yield was found to be highly significant. Overall, Z. mauritiana and C. ciliaris was the best silvipastoral combination for maximum dry fodder yield (3633 kg ha−1).