Performance of Guava- Based Hortipastoral System with Different Soil and Moisture Conservation Techniques

A long term (2008-2016) field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of guava based hortipasture system in semi-arid rainfed situation. The experiment consisted 12 treatments i.e. 2 cultivars (Shweta and Lalit) with pasture (Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes hamata) under 6-treatment viz., vegetative barrier, staggered trenches (2m x 0.50m x 0.50m) , stone mulch in basin (locally available stone in 50 cm radius) , guava + pasture (without soil and water conservation) , sole pasture and sole guava. The cultivar Lalit performed better growth in term of height, canopy spreads and yield (20 percent higher) as compared to Cv. Shweta. Staggered trenches produced higher plant growth as compared to control. The stone mulch in basin recorded minimum growth and yield with both cultivars. Over the nine years the average yield of pasture production with staggered trenches was higher (7.0 t DM/ha) followed by vegetative barriers (6.4 t DM/ha). The fruit quality was significantly influenced with staggered trenches and vegetative barriers. The pasture production in association with tree was little higher (6.1t DM/ha) as compared to sole pasture (6.0 t DM/ha). The average crude protein yield with staggered trenches was also higher (527.0kg/ha) followed by vegetative barriers (485kg/ha). The crude protein yield in association with tree was little higher (463.4kg/ha) as compared to sole pasture (397.4kg/ha).