Comparative study of soil properties under Moringa oleifera based agroforestry system

Abstract

In 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, a two-year experiment was carried out at the Ranchi Veterinary College, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Kanke Ranchi district of Jharkhand, India, which is the plain region of the Chotanagpur plateau. The experiment was conducted in the agroforestry field. The six intercrops (mustard, chickpea, soybean, wheat, groundnut, and finger millet) in sole cropping and Moringa-based agroforestry systems were being studied. Soil samples were analyzed at various profile depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) to assess the changes in soil properties under the influence of the Drumstick (Moringa oleifera) tree and intercrops cultivated in between in order to examine the overall picture of soil properties under an agroforestry system. Because of the addition of organic residue to the surface soil, the pH, electrical conductivity (dsm-1), organic carbon (%), and accessible nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (kg ha-1) of the soil were all higher at a depth of 0-15 cm than at a depth of 15-30 cm. It was discovered that the soil OC, accessible N, P, and K in the 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm profiles were statistically significant. In 2020-21 and 2021-22, it increased from the starting figure for every treatment. In both years, the Moringa-based agroforest system saw a greater rise than the lone tree and sole crop systems.