Prevalence, species composition and edaphic characteristics of agroforestry systems in the Central Kashmir Himalaya

<title>Abstract</title> <p>The present study was conducted in District Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, to identify prominent agroforestry systems, assess their adoption pattern, cropping intensity, and evaluate their influence on soil properties. A total of 112 households were surveyed using structured questionnaires and field observations. Four major agroforestry systems were identified, namely Homegarden, Agrihortisilviculture, Hortisilvipasture, and Agrisilviculture (boundary plantation). Homegarden was the most widely adopted system (30.36% households), whereas Hortisilvipasture occupied the largest proportion of total agroforestry area (30.00%). The systems comprised diverse combinations of timber trees, fruit trees, agricultural crops, and forage species, reflecting their multifunctional role in sustaining rural livelihoods. Cropping pattern analysis revealed the cultivation of cereals, pulses, vegetables, forage, and oilseed crops across different systems. The highest cropping intensity was recorded in Agrisilviculture (179.21%), followed by Homegarden (173.83%), Hortisilvipasture (169.38%), and Agrihortisilviculture (162.58%), with an overall mean cropping intensity of 171.75%, indicating efficient land utilization through integration of annual and perennial components. Soil properties varied significantly among agroforestry systems and soil depths. Soil pH increased with depth, whereas electrical conductivity, organic carbon, and available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium decreased from 0–30 cm to 30–60 cm depth. Homegarden recorded the highest organic carbon (1.92 and 1.02%), available nitrogen (329.21 and 285.29 kg ha⁻¹), phosphorus (39.11 and 34.79 kg ha⁻¹), and potassium (298.73 and 269.99 kg ha⁻¹) at respective depths. Overall, soil fertility followed the order: Homegarden &gt; Agrihortisilviculture &gt; Hortisilvipasture &gt; Agrisilviculture. The study highlights the ecological and productive benefits of diversified agroforestry systems in enhancing soil fertility, optimizing land use, and supporting sustainable livelihoods in the Kashmir Himalaya.</p>