Acacia nilotica is an important agroforestry specie, which is used in both compact and linear forms. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of compost on the growth performance and biomass production of A. nilotica. Completely randomized design (CRD) was used to analyze the variations among several growth morphological traits. Two parallel trials, pot trial (seedlings), field trial (saplings) were conducted simultaneously. Compost and litter mixture were applied in mentioned trials. Following treatments were used: T0 – control; T1 - 25% of compost and 75% of nursery soil; T2 - mixture of 50% nursery soil and 50% compost; T3 - mixture of 75% compost and 25% of nursery soil; T4 - where 100% compost was applied. Increase in plant growth was observed with the increases in the amount of compost mixture. In field trial maximum plant height, shoot length, root length, rootshoot ratio and biomass production was observed when 100% compost level was applied, while minimum was observed without any compost appli-cation. In pot trials, the maximum plant height, rootshoot ratio and biomass production was recorded when 75% compost level was applied. Overall, Acacia performed better with 100% of compost application in field trail and 75% of compost application in pot trial. The results of this study demonstrated the positive effects of compost on the growth of Acacia. The seedling development was improved considerably with different levels having greater percentage of organic fertilizer and it was concluded that compost improves soil fertility and it should be used as organic fertilizer in farming and forestry practices for improving crop growth and yield.

Agroforerstry (AF) in the farmlands of Punjab (Pakistan) is a tradition, but it was practiced without any proper methodology. From last few years, AF practices have become popular in Punjab. Especially in the rural areas woody biomass is being used as a major source of energy. The study was designed to examine the contributions of AF on the socio-economic conditions of the farmers in the central Punjab of Pakistan. District Chiniot was selected as the universe of study and a detailed survey was conducted in the three tehsiles by interviewing 150 randomly selected farmers with the use of a wellstructured questionnaire. In addition, secondary data was also collected from district agriculture offices. Chi-Square test was used for quantitative data analysis. Results showed that farmer’s annual income and household status was improved after practicing AF. Reasonably less poor farmers have more income increase than the poor farmers due to an extra investment, but income generation helped poor farmers to maintain the minimal living standards. Farmers perceived the advantage of trees immensely and the large scale farmers taking this as a genuine source of income. In adoption of AF, attitude of the farmers was independent of family size and settlement period, but was dependent on the occupation and number of livestock holding. The study suggested that, in the present financial scenario of the poor farmers, planting of suitable tree species with multiple benefits is an escape way to come out of the vicious circle of poverty. Along with that agroforestry can play a vital role in increasing the vegetation cover in forest deficient countries. Extension services and awareness programs should be arranged in the areas where people have negative attitude about AF practices, because the cultivated fields are the best places to grow the tree with crops. Moreover, subsidies and income generating project should be launched to motivate people towards AF.