MIllet Production in Semi-arid Tropics With Help of Only Tree Leaves and Its Components - a New Focus

We are pushed to produce eco-friendly foods. This research presents an innovative crop production method that uses only trees, their parts and byproducts to care, protect plants and maintain soil health. Leaves of legumes are known to improve soil fertility, while tree leaf extracts from some native tree species can contribute to foliar nutrition as well as protection against diseases and pests. Study compared novel tree-based crop production practice (vrikshayurvedic farming) with standard crop production guide practices (CPG) and zero-input (do-nothing) practices in kodomillet for two years during Rabi season (November-February) 2020-21 and 2021-22 at experimental farm. Biometric observations (plant height and leaf area index), soil health indicators (Organic carbon, nutrient status, microbial load) and economic efficiency of systems were also evaluated. Comparatively more nitrogen and SOC were available in soil when using tree leaf biomass than using CPG practice. Soil enrichment with the use of tree leaves especially Gliricidia sepium and 4-times foliar application of Annona squamosa leaf extracts recorded maximum pooled grain (974) and straw yields (2887 kg ha ^− 1 ), with below 10% yield penalty compared to CPG practice, with maximum monetary benefits.