Meta-analysis of apple based farming systems for foliar index and harvest metrics in dry temperate ecosystem of north-west Himalaya

Crop diversification is a mutual beneficial approach that improves agricultural resilience while promoting food security, livelihood income, and environmental enhancement. Six apple-based cropping systems (CS) in dry temperate ecosystem of Himachal Pradesh, India were selected. The companion (intercrops) comprising were peas, kidney beans, barley, maize, buckwheat and garlic along with apple monoculture as control. The representative sample size of five sub-locations from three blocks in Kinnaur district viz., Nichar, Kalpa and Pooh each with four orchards were selected. Based on the apparent performance of trees, the optimal sample size from each of total 60 apple orchards were determined. The study assessed the nutrient availability potential of legumes, pulses and millets-based cropping systems with regard to foliar nutrient indicators, enzymatic assessment and cultivation pattern. Fruit set and yield in apple + pea CS was determined to be 2.70, 3.78 and 3.45, 7.47 times higher than apple + buckwheat CS. Leaf N, P and K content varied from 1.85–2.36, 0.157–0.200 and 1.24–1.51 per cent, respectively. In addition, 10AM fungal species of five different genera namely, Glomus, Gigaspora, Scutellospora, Sclerocystis and Acaulospora were isolated, identified and characterized. The activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase in the rhizosphere was increased in apple + pea CS by 32.62 and 33.09 per cent, respectively. DOP indexing indicated that foliar supplementation from cropping systems in apple trees led to elevated concentrations of N, Fe, Zn and Cu in leaves. The positive and statistically significant relationship was also found between fruit yield and leaf nutrient content. Multiple regression analysis revealed that generative traits and leaf nutrient content collectively contributed to the variation in fruit yield of apple trees. Furthermore, path analysis revealed that leaf nutrient content and generative traits exerted a positive and direct influence on yield. The cropping systems that were utilised have exhibited a prime effect on soil enzymatic activity in rhizosphere, cropping behaviour, nutrient availability and residue management. Consequently, the study has drawn the conclusion that adopting apple CS could substantially boost fruit yield and crop efficiency, enabling an effective alternative for conventional farming. The demands of rural livelihoods could be satisfied by this shift, particularly in fragile dry temperate ecosystem.