Fruit Tree Agroforestry: A Climate-smart Strategy for Soil and Carbon Management

This study evaluates the Carbon stock and soil fertility of fruit tree-based agroforestry systems in coastal Odisha. Study was conducted from May 2023 to April 2024 at AICRP on Agroforestry experimental site, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, the research examines three fruit tree species–Mango (Mangifera indica), Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and Control intercropped with four Turmeric (Curcuma longa) varieties: Roma, Surama, Rashmi, and Ranga. Split-plot experimental design was adopted with 16 treatment combinations and three replications. Key findings reveal significant soil enhancements, with loamy sand soil showing improved bulk density, porosity, and nutrient status across treatment plots. Soil moisture retention and porosity were highest under Mango, while Jackfruit plots recorded superior electrical conductivity (0.27 dS/m), organic carbon (4.21 g/kg), and available nutrients (406.4 kg/ha nitrogen, 26.44 kg/ha phosphorus, and 114 kg/ha potassium). Jackfruit exhibited the best tree growth parameters, with a plant height of 7.50 m, collar girth of 0.74 cm and crown spread of 7.98 m. Among intercrops, the Roma turmeric variety achieved the highest growth and biomass yield (2,050 kg/ha), total carbon stock (1,024.8 kg/ha), and CO₂ assimilation (3,752 kg/ha). Overall, jackfruit contributed the maximum system carbon stock (16.38 Mg/ ha), while Roma variety provided superior economic returns and soil improvements. The integration of fruit trees and rhizome intercrops in agroforestry systems offers a sustainable approach to enhancing soil healthand carbon stock. These findings underline the potential of such systems to mitigate climate change and improve rural livelihoods.