Species Composition, Production and Energetic Sustainability of Homegardens in the Highlands of Eastern Mizoram, India

摘要

An in-depth study was undertaken in three villages taking 38 farms to analyze different components of homegardens and to critically analyze into various functional attributes so as to propose options for their improvement. We found homegarden sizes from 0.035 ha to 2 ha area (median = 1925 m2). All together 199 plant species belonging to 67 families of which 80 were trees and 22 were shrubs were recorded from the homegardens. Mean number of species per garden was significantly higher in large gardens(53±10.8) as compared to small and medium (PO.01). Shannon Weiner index for trees and shrubs was also higher in large gardens (#'=3.73, P<0.005). Mean number of species per garden and no of tree and shrubs species per garden significantly increases from small to large garden (PO.01) where as there is no significant difference for herbs while mean number of species per 100 m2 and trees and shrubs per 100 m~2 significantly decreases from small to large gardens (PO.005). The energy input ranged from 125MJ per m~2 in small to 31 MJ per 100 m~2 in large gardens. The energy efficiency was found to significantly (PO.04) vary from 27 in small garden to 36 and 54 in medium and large gardens respectively. The monetary input significantly (P<0.02) varies fromRs. 928 per 100 m2 in small to Rs. 228 per 100 m2 in large gardens while there is no significant difference for the monetary output and the output-input ratio significantly (P<0.05) varies from 2.6 in small to 4.4 and 6.6 in medium and large gardens respectively. Mean net financial value of the homegardens ranged from Rs. 19,890 in small gardens to Rs. 1,31,476 in large gardens and the proceeds from the sale contributes 29.2% (small garden) to 52% (large gardens) of the total household income.