Guava-vegetable agroforestry system for sustainable production and system benefits following circular agriculture concept

Guava-vegetable agroforestry following circular agriculture concept

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture through circular agroforestry in Bangladesh improves resilience by integrating diverse crops and trees, boosting productivity and soil health, and supporting rural livelihoods while reducing environmental impacts. This study assessed the performance of seasonal vegetables in guava-based agroforestry systems under various fertilizer management practices, focusing on productivity, economic returns, soil quality, and sustainability in Bangladesh. Conducted from July 2024 to June 2025 at Gazipur Agricultural University, the experiment employed a randomized complete block design with treatments comprising 100% vermicompost (VC), 100% inorganic fertilizer (IF), and a mixture of 50% VC and 50% IF, alongside control plots without fertilizer and trees. Results showed that okra and cauliflower grown in the agroforestry system with the 100% VC treatment had significantly higher growth and yield than other treatments and monoculture controls. Guava trees grown under agroforestry also demonstrated increased canopy volume, fruit yield, and other growth parameters, benefiting from inputs applied to understory crops. soil analysis revealed notable increases in organic matter and total nitrogen in agroforestry plots, especially where vermicompost was used, improving soil fertility and sustainability. Economic analysis confirmed that the 100% VC + okra + guava treatment achieved the highest gross and net income, benefit-cost ratio (BCR) (3.15), and land equivalent ratio (LER) (2.33), demonstrating the system’s superior profitability and land-use efficiency. Guava-based agroforestry combined with organic nutrient management can increase crop productivity, improve soil health, and provide economic benefits, promoting climate-resilient agriculture and food security in Bangladesh. This research advocates for agroforestry as a sustainable alternative to monoculture farming in challenging agronomic and environmental conditions.

Ann. Bangladesh Agric. 30(1): 131-146