Baljit Singh , R. I. S. Gill , Navneet Kaur

Abstract

Light textured soils having low organic matter and nutrient content in the soil are prone to nutrient deficiencies in the plants growing on such soils. Zinc deficiency symptoms were observed in poplar plantations and nurseries, having soil deficient in organic matter and nutrient contents in Ludhiana District of Punjab on such soils. The deficiency was exhibited by development of irregular interveinal chlorosis of recently matured leaves along the margins that extends towards base of leaves. The deficiency was ameliorated by soil application of 25 g/plant Zn (through ZnSO₄.7H₂O) in 1 year old plants, 40 g/plant Zn in 2 years old plants and 30 kg/ha Zn in 4.5 years old plants. Application of 20 kg/ha Zn was sufficient for eradicating Zn deficiency in nurseries. Deficiency could be cured by 5-6 weekly sprays of 0.5 per cent ZnSO⁴.7H²O (alongwith half the quantity of unslaked lime) in the solution volumes of 1 l/tree for one year old trees, 2 l/tree for 2 year old trees and 250 l/ha for nursery. The micronutrient (except Fe) content of the recently matured normal leaves (Zn: 29.2-38.6 mg kg^-1) was higher than the deficient leaves (Zn: 25.2-28.4 mg kg^-1) taken from same position on branch or stem of trees. It was suggested to apply Zn at the planting time of poplar that can meet the requirement of plants throughout its growth.

Keywords

Zinc Deficiency Symptoms, Poplar Nursery And Plantation, Punjab, Corrective
Measures, Nutrient Concentration, Soil Application

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Baljit Singh

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Baljit Singh

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of four fertilizer levels (N_oP_oK_o, N₁₀₀P₅₆K₂₅, N₂₀₀P_1ooK₅₀ and N_4OOP_2ooK_1OO kg ha^.1), and three spacings (35 cm x 35 cm, 50 cm x 50 cm and 65 cm x 65 cm) on growth parameters, biomass production and uptake of nutrients by PopUlus deltoides in nursery. Fertilizer application increased significantly the collar diameter, height, shoot biomass and nutrient uptake. Wider spacing (65 cm x 65 cm) produced plants having significantly higher biomass and growth parameters. The uptake of nutrients was significantly higher at closer spacing of 35 cm x 35 cm than at wider spacing (65 cm x 65 cm) but uptake per plant was lower.

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Baljit Singh , K. N. Sharma

Abstract

Litterfall added by trees enriches the organic matter and nutrient content of soil under the trees. The influence of tree species was evaluated on soil organic carbon (OC), available macro (N, P and K) and micronutrient (Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu) concentration of soil and their accumulation in the soil under 8 year old Eucalyptus tereticonis (eucalyptus), Azadirachta indica (neem), Mella azedarach (dek), Dalbergia sissoo (shisham), Albizia lebbeck (siris), Leucoena leucocephala (subabul), Acacia nilotica (kikar) and Tamarix articulata (farmah) spaced at 6 × 3 m and adjoining open (control) in arid zone area of Punjab at Regional Research Station of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) at Bathinda. Siris and eucalyptus attained more diameter at breast height and height than other tree species. The concentration and accumulation of soil OC and available nutrients were higher under trees than control. The soil OC and nutrient concentration decreased with increase in depth. Soli OC increased by 50.3% under siris followed by shisham (43.4%) and kikar (40.6%) over control (3.62 g/kg) in the surface soil layer. The OC sequestration in the 0-120 cm soil depth varied from 37.1 Mg/ha under eucalyptus to 42.2 Mg/ha under shisham. The available N concentration was higher under subabul, shisham, kikar and siris than the other tree species in the surface as well as in 0-120 cm soil depth. Available P and K were higher under kikar and subabul than other tree species. All the micronutrients were higher under the tree species as compared to control. Thus, the tree plantations can sustain the soil health by improving the different soil properties.

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