Soil quality enhancement in arecanut (Areca catechu)-based agroforestry system: Insights from organic farming and integrated nutrient management

Enhancing soil productivity through appropriate land management practices aligns agricultural output with improved ecosystem services. A field survey was undertaken among 70 farmers in five major arecanut (Areca catechu L.) growing subdivisions of Goa: Ponda, Bicholim, Satari, Pernem, and Canacona This research aimed to quantitatively assess the effects of nutrient management practices namely no manure (NM), organic manure (OM), and integrated nutrient management (INM), on soil quality in an arecanut-based agroforestry system. The study was carried out during 2021–22 focusing on seven key soil parameters such as microbial biomass carbon (MBC), bulk density (BD), soil organic carbon (SOC), Zn, Mn, P, and B to establish a minimum data set (MDS), which was then converted into a soil quality index using non-linear scoring functions. The results showed that organic farming yielded a significantly higher soil quality index (0.61), followed by integrated nutrient management (0.58). The findings suggest that implementing organic farming techniques alongside effective crop management strategies is crucial for maximizing the potential of arecanut-based agroforestry systems to boost soil quality and achieve long-term sustainability.