Studies in the Foliar Analysis of Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. F.) and the Physico-Chemical Status of the Underlying Soils in Madhya Pradesh

The paper describes the foliar analysis of sal (Shores robusta Gaertn. f.) and the physico-chemical status of soils under the respective sal forests of Madhya Pradesh.

The soils are fresh, immature to leached down ones. The best growth of sal, as determined by Relative Growth Index (RGI-a new concept) is base poor, leached-down sandy loams. Coarse, fresh and thin soils under sal climate have poor growth of the species; and medium growth is registered in comparatively base richer soils.

The soils are discussed to have been derived so by the process of 'laterisation' under the forest floor and the existing climate.

Further, foliar analysis confirms the chemical status of the soils and reveals that sal is not a heavy demander of soil bases.