CC BY
19
https://doi.org/10.29013/ESR-19-11.12-48-51
Nurbekov Aziz Israilovich, Tashkent State Agrarian University, Uzbekistan
Xalilova Lola Nasriddinovna, Tashkent State Agrarian University, Uzbekistan
Isroilov Baxtiyor, Tashkent State Agrarian University, Uzbekistan
Xalilov Umirzoq Muhiddinovich, Uzbek Research Institute of Economics, Uzbekistan E-mail: nurbekov2002@yahoo.com
ALLEY CROPPING SYSTEM UNDER CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE PRACTICES IN TAJIKISTAN
Abstract. Alley cropping is not new approach in Tajikistan as this practice is widely used in the irrigated conditions of the country. Many farmers grow different fruit trees in their farm and do grow alfalfa, wheat, barley and legume crops in the alleyways between widely spaced rows of the fruit trees. However, in rainfed conditions this practice is not common. Alley cropping in rainfed conditions can diversify farm income, increase crop production, decrease soil erosion and provide protection and conservation benefits to crops. Farmers who diversify by growing at least three type of crop are in a better position to tolerate soil-climate conditions or crop failures. By combining cereal and legume crops that yield multiple products and profits at different times, a farmer can use available space, time and resources more effectively and can get additional feed resources. Mulberry (Morus spp. L.), can address to increase forage production in Tajikistan.
Keywords: Alley cropping, pea, triticale, conservation agriculture, forage, mulberry, shrub.
Background grazing resources; 2) alleviate soil erosion/water by
Tajikistan is one the most mountainous regions in utilizing mulberry, adapted to local conditions and;
Central Asia. A strong rugged relief, frequent heavy 3) increase forage production through alley cropping
showers and weak soil resistance enhance the destruc- with mulberry trees. tive influence of water coming from the mountain Materials and methods
slopes, and combined with strong winds, are the pri- The experiment was conducted in the fall from
mary reasons for the strong soil erosion found in many 2014 through 2016 at Sharora village in Gissar val-
parts of the Republic of Tajikistan. This susceptibility ley. Split plot design (main plots mulberry alleys sub-
to erosion highlights the need for technologies to com- plots are forage monocultures and mixtures). Plot
bat soil erosion and degradation, and appropriate agri- size was 50 m2(20 x 2.5 m). There were three treat-
cultural systems to improve soil and crop quality. Alley ments and these are as follows: cropping through shrub transplantation under CA can 1. No till triticale with mulberry trees. be an answer to decrease soil and water erosions and 2. No till forage pea with mulberry trees. provide additional feed resources. The main objectives 3. No-till triticale in no alleys. of this experiment are to 1) improve out-of-season 4. No till forage pea in no alleys.
5. No till Triticale+forage pea (30 + 70%) with mulberry trees.
6. No till Triticale+forage pea (30 + 70%) in no alleys.
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) used to determine treatment effect.
Soil sampling was done in October 2014 in two different depth 0-30 and 30 - 60 cm. Different soil parameters analyzed on following sampling methods: humus on I. V. Turin method, GOST 2621391, easy hydrolyzed nitrogen, on Kornfield ("Methodical directions..., 1985), mobile compounds of phosphorus and exchange potassium on Machi-gin method, GOST 26205-91, pH-water extract according to GOST 17.5.01.-84.
Nitrogen 30 kg/ha, ammophous 60 kg/ha were applied before planting. Ammonium nitrate was used as a nitrogen fertilizer (34%). Field observations were recorded on seed germination, tillering, days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, thousand kernel weight, dry matter yield and grain yield. The crops yields recorded before harvest at one square meter from each plot.
Mulberry cuttings prepared by Khujand branch of Tajik Research Institute of Farming. The mulberry tree is very popular tree in Tajikistan and its leaves will be used to feed a silkworm during the spring season from April to May. The tree tolerates drought in rainfed conditions of Tajikistan. The mulberry tree is palatable for livestock. Small ruminants and cattle consume the fresh leaves and the young stems first. Cuttings age was around three years. The plant height ranged 1-1.2 m. Irrigation was provided through plastic bottles. Nitrogen fertilizer added to the water in order to improve fertilizer use efficiency. Twenty shrubs per row planted (1m gap between trees).
Results
There was no significant difference in plant survival rate of mulberry trees in this experiment. Please see figure 1. It shows that mulberry tree survival rate is high when its root system is good enough to penetrate to the deeper layer of the soil to reach soil moisture. Plant survival rate of mulberry tree in the rainfed conditions of Gissar valley was ranged between 90 and 100%.
Figure 1. Mulberry survival rate in Gissar valley
Field observation on mulberry plant height The studied forage crops showed excellent growth
was done in this experiment. The observation and development in both with and without mulberry
shows that plant height of mulberry tree ranged trees. The obtained data was statistically analyzed
between 1.05-1.22 m in November while in Au- using GenSTAT program (Please see Table 1) and
gust the plant height was fluctuated 1.12-1.45 cm proved that there is a significant difference between
(Figure 1). crops (< 0.001). Forage yield of several forage crops
with and without alleys summarized in (Figure 2). Alley cropping increased soil moisture, helped to decrease soil erosion, and consequently, increased forage crops yields with alleys as compared to with-
out alleys. Alley cropping system and crop had not significant statistical difference in this experiment (< 0.553) while in alley cropping it was not seen, please see (Table 1).
1.4 1.2 1
E 0.8 c
0.6 0.4 0.2 0
123456789 10 11 12 Plots with mulberry ■ November ■ August
Figure 2. Plant height of mulberry Table 1. - Analysis of variance of forage yield
Source of variation d.f. s.s. m.s. v.r. F pr.
Replication stratum 3 3786680 1262227 1.01
Replication.*Units* stratum
Crops 2 113208566 56604283 45.40 <0.001
Alleys 1 199 199 0.00 0.990
Crops.alleys 2 1535519 767760 0.62 0.553
Residual 15 18703011 1246867
Total 23 137233976
Remarks: d.f- Degree of freedom; m.s - means square; v.r - variance ratio; F - F-test statistic
With mulberry Without mulberry
I Forage pea ■Triticale Triti cal e + forage
Figure 3. Effect of alleys on forage yield of different agricultural crops (2014-2016)
The (Figure 3) shows the forage yield widely ranged between the crops and range was fluctuated between 3190 and 8375 kg/ha. The highest forage yield was recorded 8375 kg/ha with triticale+forage pea without mulberry alley cropping while the lowest forage yield was recorded (3190 kg/ha) with forage pea in no alleys too. The results shows that alley cropping with mulberry had highest forage yield as compared to in no alleys.
Cost benefit analysis
Triticale (476 USD) in with mulberry alleys followed by Triticale+Forage pea (440 USD) and triticale (439 USD) without mulberry tree. The lowest profits observed with forage pea (219 USD) without mulberry tree (Table 2). In general, the results show that economic profit can be an indicator to determine easy adoption of any intervention in the rainfed conditions of Tajikistan. Integration of crop and livestock production under alley cropping is the most important to increase forage production.
Table 2.- Cost benefit analysis of different forage crops grain yield with and without mulberry
Cost items With mulberry No mulberry
Forage pea Triticale Triticale+Forage pea Forage pea Triticale Triticale+Forage pea
Yield kg/ha 3477 8069 7657 3190 7655 8375
Crop price per kg/USD 0.15 0.09 0.08 0.15 0.09 0.08
yield USD 522 726 613 479 689 670
Total variable costs 260 250 230 260 250 230
Profit 262 476 383 219 439 440
Conclusions
Forage production is increasingly important
issue and with the rising demand for fodder from
the expanding number of livestock, forage yield of forage pea should be an even more attractive alternative crop than triticale taking into account improving soil fertility in long-term effect. In addition, triticale+forage pea will be alternative to increase forage production in the country.
All obtained data statistically analyzed and proved that there was significant difference among alleys and crops. The results of this experiment show that Triticale+forage pea, Triticale and forage pea
performance with mulberry tree were not always good compared to Triticale+forage pea, Triticale and Forage pea without mulberry.
The profit was good with alleys than without alleys the highest profit was observed (624 USD) with triticale when the cereal legume mixture was grown without alleys while the lowest was recorded (219 USD) with forage pea when the crop was grown in no alleys. These results showed that alley cropping has good potential to increase forage production and increase profit ratio in Tajikistan.
