Distribution Pattern and Phytosociological Attributes of Understory Vegetation in Different Agroforestry Systems of Kashmir, India

The investigation was carried out in seven different silvipastoral systems viz Cedrus deodara, Robinia pseudoacacia, Cupressus torulosa, Prunus arminiaca, Ailanthus altissima, mixed plantations and grassland (control). There were 12 shrub and 43 herb species in all the systems. Among shrubs, Berberis lycium, and among herbs, Cyanodon dactylon were observed in all the systems. Maximum height (23.91 m) and maximum dbh (91.72 cm) was for the trees in Robinia pseudoacacia and Cupressus torulosa system, respectively. The highest density (8133 shrubs/ha) was in grassland (control) followed by Prunus arminiaca>Robinia pseudoacacia>mixed plantations>Cupressus torulosa. The highest density for Cyanodon dactylon (86666 tillers/ha) and lowest (10000 tillers/ha) was recorded for Stipa sibirica. The basal area (m²ha^-1) of herbage in different treatments showed the precedence grassland (control) followed by Prunus arminiaca>Robinia pseudoacacia> Ailanthus altissima. Importance value index of different herbage species in different silvipastoral systems revealed that Cyanodon dactylon was the dominating species under grassland (control), Ailanthus altissima and mixed plantations system. Oxalis acetosella was dominating under Cedrus deodara. Lolium perenne was dominating species under mixed plantations, Robinia pseudoacacia and Prunus arminiaca agroforestry systems.