Soil Nutrient Status Under Barley Intercropped with Poplar (Populus deltoides) Agroforestry Systems in Northern India

The present investigation was carried out to assess the soil nutrient status under five year old popular plantation. In the study, five barley varieties (BH 946, BH 959, BH 393, BH 885 and BH 902) were sown with already established poplar plantation at a 5 x 3 m spacing. Soil pH and EC decreased significantly under poplar plantation than sole barley crop. A significant increase in soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were observed at all depths (0-15, 15- 30 and 30-45 cm) under poplar based agroforestry system than sole barley (devoid of trees). Poplar based agroforestry system was observed to provide exemplary effect on soil properties as compared to sole cropping. Thus, signifying that poplar based agroforestry system will also yield good returns to farmers in the long-run by improving the soil health and agricultural sustainability.