Thumbnail Image

Theses

Browse

20181
Reset filters
Subject: Soil Science × Author: Badeshra, Sangam × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2016 ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of soil fertility status under different spacings of eucalyptus tereticornis based agroforestry system
    (CCSHAU, 2018) Badeshra, Sangam; Bhardwaj, K.K.
    The present investigation entitled Evaluation of soil fertility status under different spacings of Eucalyptus tereticornis based agroforestry system at Research Farm of Forestry Department, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2016-17 to evaluate soil physical, chemical and biological properties and to study the nutrients status in leaf litter fall at different spacing of Eucalyptus tereticornis based agroforestry system. Soil samples from different spacings of Eucalyptus plantings viz. 17×1×1 m, 6×1.5 m and 3×3 m were analyzed for different soil properties at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm depth. Soil bulk density and infiltration rate improved in agroforestry system. There was less effect of different spacings of Eucalyptus trees on soil pH, however electrical conductivity decreased with decrease in spacing between Eucalyptus trees at different depths. Organic matter and availability of nutrients (N, P, K, DTPA extractable micronutrients, dissolved organic carbon and total N) increase significantly at closer spacing (3×3 m) of Eucalyptus tereticornis based agroforestry system. Improvement in soil properties under agroforestry was more as compared to sole cropping system. Depth-wise similar trend was observed under different treatment combinations. However the reduction was more in 15-30 cm soil depth. Available N, P, and K content were in the range 102.0- 121.6, 8.3-10.3, and 244.6-278.2 kg/ha respectively. The DTPA extractable micronutrient Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu were in the range 0.8- 1.3, 5.1- 6.7, 6.8- 8.1 and 2.6- 3.1 mg/kg respectively. The percent mineralization rate of nitrogen was in the range 2.5-4.8 %. Mineralization increased significantly by incorporating trees with crops. The microbial biomass C and urease activity increased from 146.7 to 276.1 mg/kg soil and 45.5 to 64.4 g NH4 +-N/g/h respectively.The dehydrogenase and phosphatase activity increased from 88.6 to 183.5 mg TPF/kg soil/24 h and 70.8 to 124.7 mg PNP/kg soil/h respectively. The enzymatic activities were found higest under 3×3 m and these decreased significantly with increase in tree spacing of Eucalypus and devoid of tree treatment. Leaf liter, nutrient content and nutrient addition was found maxium under closer spacing (3×3 m) of agroforestry system. The closer spacing of Eucalyptus returned substantial amount of N (107.4 kg/ha/year) while the average annual input of N, P and K were 95.6, 12.9 and 17.6 kg/ha/year, respectively. The input of Ca and Mg ranged from 96.8 (17×1×1m) to 122.9 (3×3 m) and from 50.4 (17×1×1m) to 63.3 (3×3 m) kg/ha/year, respectively. The total mean micronutrients (Zn, Mn Cu and Fe) return through leaf litter was 6.0 kg/ha/year out of which maximum contributon was of Mn (45%). Therefore, Eucalyptus based agroforestry system improves soil health by enhanced soil organic matter and improved soil properties.