Agroforestry as a mitigatory tool for land degradation: Effect of organic manures on soil physicochemical properties in a newly established wild pomegranate based agroforestry system

Land is a non-renewable resource essential for human development, supporting our need for food, shelter, and growth. However, since the 20th century, land degradation has rapidly increased due to environmental damage, population growth, urbanization, industrial expansion, and unsustainable land use. This degradation has become a critical environmental, social, and economic problem worldwide. Sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry, are promising solutions for restoring degraded lands and maintaining soil health. Therefore this study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the effects of organic manures on soil physicochemical properties within a newly established wild pomegranate-based agroforestry system on land that had been abandoned for several years. This research was conducted at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, during the year 2020-21. Four treatments studied during the experiment were: T1—Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF), T2—Farm Yard Manure (FYM), T3—Goat Manure, and T4—Control. Additionally, two varieties of Pisum sativum i.e. Pusa Pragati and JK-124 Hybrid, were included to assess their performance. Soil physicochemical properties were tested before the start of the experiment and at the end of the experiment. The results showed that soil properties improved significantly by the end of the experiment. Improvements were observed particularly under the application of T3: Goat Manure producing the best results for soil physicochemical properties. These enhancements contribute to a more favorable environment for plant growth and overall soil health. The model can be a potential land use system economically as well as ecologically for the region but needs more elaborative studies over the longer period of time