B. S. Jadoun , Kalyan Singh , M. N. Jha

Abstract

A field trial of Acacia nilotica (Linn) Willd. ex Delile was conducted in polythene lined micro-plots to evaluate its tolerance to fluorine enriched saline irrigation water at early growth stages, using varying qualities of artificially prepared saline water (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 20 ppm Fluorine levels maintained at EC 4 and 8 dS/m) for irrigation on sandy loam soil (Coarse-loamy mixed hyperthermic Ustorthent). The best available canal water having EC 0.2 dS/m (Fluorine traces) was used as control. Acacia nilotica grew well with retarded growth at 20 ppm fluorine levels. However, the 50% reduction in biomass yield of Acacia nilotica as limits of tolerance was observed at about 20 and 18 ppm fluorine levels in saline water of 4 and 8 dS/m, respectively. Uptake of fluorine by plants increased progressively with increase in fluorine levels. Subsequently the uptake the Na⁺ increased but phosphorus and Ca²⁺ decreased. Nitrogen, K⁺ and Mg²⁺ uptake did not show any particular trend.

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Kalyan Singh

Abstract

Tolerance of Eucalyptus hybrid to soil salinity and sodicity in light and heavy soils was evaluated under pot culture at varying electrical conductivity (Ece) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) levels on alluvial sandy soil (coarse loamy mixed hyperthermic Typic Ustipsamments) and clayey soils (fine mixed hyperthermic Typic Haplaquept) at addition of different salts. Eucalyptus hybrid failed to grow at Ece 32.8 dSm^-1 and ESP at and above 62.3 in heavy soils, and at and above Ece 16.3 dSm^-1 and ESP 31.3 in light soils. The successful growth of this species was observed at Ece 16.5 dS^m-1 and ESP 30.8 in heavy soils and Ece 8.4 dSm^-1 and ESP 15.2 in light soils. Height, girth, fresh and dry weight of plants decreased with increase in ECe or ESP. Although the tolerance of Eucalyptus hybrid to soil salinity and sodicity was more in heavy soils than in light soils. The performance was better at lower levels of ECe and ESP in light soils. Uptake ofNa⁺ by plants increased progressively with increase in ECe or ESP levels, whereas uptake of Ca⁺⁺, in general, decreased and Mg⁺⁺ and K⁺ were unaffected in both light' and heavy soils. The values of NaIK, Na/Ca and Na/Mg ratios in plants increased with increase in ECe or ESP. Relatively lower uptake of Ca⁺⁺ due to high concentration of Na⁺ appeared to increase the adverse effect of sodium on plant growth in light and heavy saline and sodic soils.

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Kalyan Singh

Abstract

Site suitability and tolerance limits of trees, shrubs and grasses to soil sodicity were evaluated under field conditions at Aligarh, Mathura, Agra and Mainpuri Districts (U.P.). Prosopis juliflora, Acacia leucophloea, Tamarix sp., Sporobolus marginatus Desmostochya bipinnata and Diplachne fusca were able to grow on sodic soils having average values of pH < 10, ESP < 60, Ece < 4dSm^-1, CaCO₃ < 10% and compact and indurated Kankar(CaCO₃)/clay pan present beyond 1 m soil depth under rainfed conditions. Higher sodicity levels and Kankar pan within 1 m soil depth caused failure of vegetation. Acacia nilotica, Capparis zeylanica, Crotolaria medicaginea and Cynodon dectylon could grow successfully on soils which had maximum values of pH 9.5, ESP 50, Ece 4 dSm^-1, CaCO₃ 5% under the conditions of deep ground water table and absence of compact and indurated Kankar pan in sub-soils. Mixed forest species like Terminalia arjuna, Azadirachla indica, Pongamia pinnta, Dalbergia sissoo, Albizia lebbek, Bulea monosperma, Phoenix sp., Calotropis procera, Prosopis cineraria, Cryptostegia grandiflora, Capparis decidua, Salvadora oleoides, Zizyphus mauritiana, Adhatoda vesica and Saccharum spontaneum were found to grow well on soils having lower sodicity levels (pH < 9, ESP < 35. Ece < 4 dSm¹) and absence of clay/Kankar pan throughout the ischolar_main zone 20-140 cm depth.

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Kalyan Singh , M. N. Jha

Abstract

Studies on site suitability and tolerance limits to soil salinity of trees, shrubs and grasses were conducted under field conditions in Social Forestry Divisions of Mathura and Manipur(U.P.). Prosopis juliflora in association with bushes (Tamarix sp., Salvadora oleoides, Capparis decidua and Acacia leucophloea) was able to grow on fine mixed hyperthermic strongly saline Natric Camborthids which had Ece < 40 dS m ^{− 1} and CaCO₃ < 12% in the ischolar_maining zone of 10-130cm soil depth; moderately deep ground water table 2-3m) and Kankar/clay pan beyond 80 cm soil depth. The sites under fine-loamy mixed hyperthermic Typic Salorthids had higher levels of Ece, pH, CaCO₃, compact and impervious Kankar pan within 60 cm soil depth, poor drainage, shallow ground water table(< 2m), thick salt encrustation and were devoid of vegetation. Comparatively,Acacia nilotica and natural Crateva adansonii, Anthocephalus indicus, Diplachne fusca, Cynodon dactylon and Sporabolus marginatus could tolerate Ece < 27 dS m⁻¹, pH < 7.9, CaCO₃ < 5% with absence of Kanka/clay pan in the ischolar_maining zone of 28 170cm of coarse-loamy mixed hyperthemic highly saline Natric Camborthids. Mixed species like Dalbergia sissoo, Pongamia pinnata, Holoptelea integrifolia, Eucalyptus hybrid, Cassia siamea and natural Cryptostegia grandiflora, Prosopis cineraria, Capparis zeylanica, Saccharum spontaneum grew on fine-loamy mixed hyperthermic highly saline Typic Camborthids and Coarse-loamy mixed hyperthermic moderately saline Aeric Halaquepts which had ECe < 18.5 ds m⁻¹, pH around 8.5 and CaCO₃ < 5% in the ischolar_maining zone 12-180 cm of soil depth without Kankar/ clay pan. High salt concentration in top 10 or 28 cm soil did not adversely affect the plant growth. This study will help in identification of most suitable plant species for a given site in saline areas in order to have best land use.

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Ravender Singh , R. K. Singh , Kalyan Singh

Abstract

Effect of different plant cavers on pbysico-chemical properties of soil was evaluated in Doon Valley environmental conditions. Amount of organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and potash, exchangeable magnesium and cation exchange capacity was highest in soils under Eucalyptus hybrid plantations, and lowest in soils under agriculture landuse except the lowest values of available phospborus and potash in soils under Chir (Pinus roxburghii). Available nitrogen in agricultural soils and exchangeable calcium in soils under Teak (Teeona grandis) were highest in amount while these nutrients were lowest in soils under Sal (Shorea robusla) and agriculture, respectively. Other species exhibited different patterns of soil characteristics. The highest C:N ratio in soil. Under Subabul and lowest in soils under Chir iniicated bigbest production of decomposable leaf litter is oils under Subabul and lowest in soils under Chir. The surface soil (0-10 cm deep) contained bighest amount of mineral nutrients. Seasonally, mineralization of nutrients was found to be highest in the month of February and lowest in June.

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Pratap Narain , Ravender Singh , Kalyan Singh

Abstract

Studies were conducted on soil nutrient status, their dynamics and physico-chemical characteristics of soil under Sal. Eucalyptus and Brushwood forests in Doon valley. Annual return of nutrients through leaf fall was maximum under Sal forest followed by Brushwood and Eucalyptus. The understorey biomass and nutrients contained therein were however bighest in Eucalyptus followed by Brushwood and Sal forest. Organic carbon, total nitrogen, available rotash and exchangeable calcium and magnesium in soil were maximum in Brushwood forest allowed by Eucalyptus and Sal but available phosphorus was more under Sal. Accumulation of nutrients was conspicuous in surface soil while lower depths (90-210 cm) did not show much hange in nutrient status. The 0-10 cm layer was the richest in respect to all the nutrients due to their recycling through leaf-fall or understorey. Site quality was estimated to be II under Eucalyptus and Sal forests. Soil bulk density increased and correspondingly porespace percentage decreased with increasing soil depth. Lower bulk density and higher porespace percentage was found under Brushwood forest, followed by Eucalyptus and then Sal forests. Soil moisture retention curves showed higher water retention and available water under Brushwood followed by Eucalyptus and then Sal. Infiltration rates and cumulative infiltration rates were also higher under Brushwood followed by Eucalyptus and then Sal. These physical characteristics are due to higher organic carbon content in Brushwood, followed by Eucalyptus and then in Sal watersheds. Hydraulic conductivity was found to increase with moisture content. Generally, Brushwood and Eucalyptus watershed showed higher hydraulic conductivity in surface layer. In sub-surface layer Sal also revealed higher value due to low clay content. Organic matter and clay content are major determinant factors for hydraulic conductivity.

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J. S. Samra , B. G. Dabral , Kalyan Singh

Abstract

Regeneration of Sal (Shorea robusta) with reference to morphological, physico-chemical, topographical and ischolar_main distribution characteristics of lithosphere have been studied in West Dehra Dun Forest Division of U.P. Soil temperature and moisture at two depths along with air temperature at two heights were also monitored throughout the year. Poor drainage, deficient aeration, dispersed conditions of soil during monsoon due to high Mg, soil moisture stress coupled with hardness during dry periods and topographic location seem to be important edephic factors governing natural regeneration of Sal. Compartively low temperature and high amplitude in diurnal variation in air and soli temperature during winter season possibily due to scanty ground flora, absence of shrub layer and topographical location may be some of micro-climatic factors, affecting natural regeneration.

Keywords

Edaphic Factors, Mioroclimatology, Regeneration

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