R. K. Aggarwal , Praveen Kumar , L. N. Harsh , B. M. Sharma

Abstract

The paper deals with utilisation of textile industrial effluents for irrigation in forest plantations and its effect on soil properties in arid land of Western Rajasthan. The mean chemical composition of textile effluents showed pH of 9.4, RSC 34.6 mel⁻¹, SAR 152.2, Na 2025 ppm, carbonates 430 ppm and near absence of calcium, magnesium, Pb and Cd. The performance of eight tree species of economic value viz. Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, Prosopis cineraria, Colophospermum mopane, Hardwickia binata, Prosopis juliflora and Acacia tortilis irrigated with these effluents was studied, under field conditions. The soil in the planting pit was treated with gypsum (3 kg/pit), FYM (5 kg/pit) and gypsum + FYM before transplanting of seedlings besides keeping a control. The rate of growth during one and half year after planting was normal, though the increase in growth varied with the tree species and soil treatment. Maximum height was recorded in E. camaldulensis (ranging from 213 to 252 cm/ tree). The growth in general was higher when soil was treated with gypsum + FYM followed by gypsum alone. The results thus indicate that highly sodic textile effluents can be used for growing the tree species, and its deleterious effect on soil can be mitigated by addition of gypsum in soil.

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R. K. Aggarwal , Praveen Kumar , P. Raina

Abstract

Long term effects of P. cineraria (khejri) on the nutrients status and their availability from the underneath desert sandy soil were studied in comparison to adjacent open soil. The relative availability of nutrient i.e. N, P, K and S from two soils viz. 'khejri' and 'non-khejri' was studied following missing nutrient technique in greenhouse study. The results on nutrients status showed a significant increase in organic matter, total N, P and S, and available N, P and K contents in 'khejri' soils over 'non-khejri' soil. The dry matter yield of pearlmillet in 'khejri soil' increased significantly by 2-3 times over 'non-khejri' soil at all the comparable treatments. Per cent relative yields of nutrients showed the increased capacity of 'khejri soil' to supply these nutrients. In 'khejri soil', the per cent relative yields due to P, K and S were nearly 100% compared with full treatment of NPKS, while it was 85 per cent for N, indicating the lower availability of nitrogen.

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R. K. Aggarwal , J. P. Gupta , S. K. Saxena , K. D. Muthana

Abstract

Soil physico-chemical and ecological studies in twelve years old five desert tree plantations were undertaken at Jodhpur. The results showed that density, number and height of ground flora species and above ground phytomass production was higher under Prosopis cineraria and Tecomella undulata and lowest under P. juliflora. The growth of former two species has also increased the soil fertility status with respect to organic carbon, total N and P₂0₅ and available macro and micro-nutrients. Data of moisture distribution showed higher moisture content in surface soil under P. cineraria and in 75-90 cm depth under Tecomella undulata.

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