Agroforestry Systems for Rainfed Black Soils

Abstract

Land and water are the two most important bioresources which are crucial life supporting elements and hence their management and preservation is of atmost importance. The present paper is an attempt to highlight the recent developments in agroforestry systems for rainfed black soils. Natural vegetation in black soils are dominated by tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorny forests with fairly dense growth of grasses. Hence, these soils are most suited for rainfed agroforestry systems. However, the main concern under rainfed black soils are that the soil remains water logged due to poor sub-soils drainage. Therefore, drainage system should be installed for successful agriculture/agroforestry systems. The technique, to be followed for successful agroforestry in black soils primarily rest over site and soil conditions, species to be selected and its purpose. Management of rainfed black soils including excess water stagnation during the rainy season is the major prevention one has to adopt for successful agroforestry systems. Acacia based agroforestry system is the most dominating practice suitable for rainfed black soils. Teak, Mango, Shisham, Albizias, Neem are few important tree species for the region.