Assessment of Growth and Biomass Production of Cenchrus setigerus Based Silvipastoral System in Community Pasture Land in Bhilwara District of Rajasthan

About 80% areas of common pasturelands in arid and semi-arid tract of Rajasthan is extremely low productive because of excessive grazing, soil erosion and land degradation. To enhance fodder production and conserve soil moisture C. setigerus grass was sown and trees seedlings of Acacia tortilis, Acacia Senegal, Acacia nilotica, Butea monosperma, Zizyphus mauritiana, Pithecolobium dulce, Prosopis cineraria and Acacia leucophloea were planted in July 2002 at 76 community pastureland covering 2545 ha area in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. Reseeding of these pasturelands with C. setigerus alongwith plantation of tree seedlings under contour furrow/V-ditch soil and water conservation measures enhanced the productivity of these lands. Growth andbiomass production of C. setigerus varied widely and followed the pattern of rainfall. Effect of soil depended upon suitability of conservation measures adopted, whereas interferences of livestock affected grass production negatively. Naturally growing tree, shrubs, herb and grasses added to increase carrying capacity of these pasturelands. Adoption silvipastoral activities enhanced fodder production and vegetation cover.