NEEM IN VARIOUS AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS
Neem trees are often found growing scattered in the fields surrounded by crops that appear
to be quite unaffected. In India neem trees growing on the boundaries of the fields to meet
the local demands for timber, fodder and fuel is a common sight.
The tree can be raised in a wide range of climatic conditions ranging from arid (<500 mm
annual rainfall), semi arid (500-1,150 mm rainfall annually) to sub-humid regions (rainfall
more than 1,150 mm annually).
Silvipasture
The current status of silvipastoral research in
India is presented in a recent review. The
practice of associating trees with pastures is
widespread in various climatic zones
throughout the country. The silvipastoral
system involves production of forage
grasses and legumes with multiple-purpose
tree species (MPTS) used initially under cut
and carry system and later on grazed in situ.
Neem has several attributes 'which make it
an excellent tree for the silvipastoral system.
The importance of neem in silvipasture for the arid regions has been recently reviewed. For
the arid zones of Thar desert, it has been reported that forage production can be increased
from only 0.05 t/ha to 3.6 t/ha by growing suitable grasses, legumes and trees (including
neem) with improved management practices.
At Pali in Western Rajasthan, silvipastoral studies involving four tree plantations (Acacia
tortilis, Azadirachta indica, Albizia lebbek and Holoptelia integrifolia) and four grasses
(Cenchrus ciliaris, C. setigerus, Dicanthium annulatum and Panicum antidotale) revealed,
that grass yields under different plantations were statistically at par with one another. Dry
forage yield (average of 2 years) in D. annulatum was 2.8 t/ha followed by C. ciliaris (2.5 t/ha)
and P. antidotale (2.2 t/ha). Among the trees, A. indica attained maximum height (2.18 m)
followed by A. tortilis. In general, tree attained maximum height in C. setigerus plots followed
by C. ciliaris plots. Further studies at the Western Regional Center of Central Arid Zone
Research Institute, Bhuj, Gujarat, have reported that Azadirachta indica was superior to other
tree species in growth and canopy coverage.
For maintaining sustained productivity in the mangrove ecosystem of Sundarbans, the
practice of silvopisciculture is recommended. Among forest tree species planted on the
ridges and peripheral bunds, the performance of Azadirachta indica was comparable with
others.
introducing tree species such as Acacia tortilis, Azadirachta indica, Albizia amara and
Dichrostachys nutens in the system. At the National Research Center for Agroforestry
(NRCAF), Jhansi, detailed studies are in progress on various silvipastoral aspects and very
encouraging results have been obtained. It is reported that the performance of A. indica was
comparable with other important species on both red and black soils under degraded land
conditions. In this long-term experiment, it will be interesting to observe in the following years
the behaviour of various tree species.