Technical and financial feasibility of short rotation agroforestry systems for reclamation of saline soils

Amelioration of saline soil using tree and fodder rotations was documented in the lower Indus Basin, Pakistan. Reclamation crops grown for 18 months were Sesbania cannabina, Leucaena leucocephala, and Diplachne fusca for fodder production, S. cannabina and L. leucocephala for green manure, and Sesbania sesban, L. leucocephala, and Acacia nilotica for wood production. Irrigated and non-irrigated fallow treatments were also monitored. Maize fodder was grown following the treatments to determine the degree to which the soil amelioration associated with the treatments effected subsequent agronomic production. Soil from three depths was analyzed at the initiation of the study and every six months thereafter. During the treatment period, organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus increased and soluble salts, electrical conductivity, sodium absorption ratio, and soil pH were decreased in all treatments except the non-irrigated fallow. Surface bulk density was lowest in D. fusca (fodder) and S. cannabina (green manuring) and highest in fallow treatments.; D. fusca, S. cannabina and L. leucocephala produced the most phytomass, among fodder, green manure and wood treatments. In woody species, A. nilotica was planted for fuelwood and S. sesban and L. leucocephala were planted for pole production. S. sesban produced a greater numbers of marketable poles than L. leucocephala. The highest and lowest quantity of maize phytomass was produced in A. nilotica and non-irrigated plots, respectively. Maize phytomass yield was positively correlated to organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus and negatively correlated to soluble salts, electrical conductivity, sodium absorption ration, pH, and bulk density.; The benefit-cost ratio and net present value at 10% discount rate was used as financial evaluation criteria. The S. sesban wood production treatment generated the highest revenues with a 12.1 B:C ratio. Green manure treatments and irrigated fallow treatment resulted in a net financial loss during reclamation process. When the first maize crop was added to the financial analysis all treatments were profitable except the non-irrigated fallow.; The hurry system, a high density, short rotation, Acacia nilotica plantation raised on irrigated farmland, is also described. This agri-silviculture practice has been used since 1858 to provide wood products and aid land reclamation.