Biomediated transformations in forest floor of Jammu region

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Date
2020-12
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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu, J&K
Abstract
A study was carried out in the Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir to understand and assess the change that occur in soil health of forest floors upon deforestation. A comparison was made among the forest floor soils and deforested soils to assess this change. Soil samples were collected from both forest floors and deforested soils in six areas of Jammu division covering different forest types and climatic zones. Bulk density varied from1.55 to 1.67 g cm-3 in deforested soils irrespective of soil depth. Soil texture under forest were finer as compared to deforested soils in general as is evident from higher clay content in forest soils. Soil pH was acidic under vegetation irrespective of whether the vegetation was in sub-tropical or temperate zone. Forest soils contain higher mean values of organic carbon content than deforested soils at all locations and it varied from 0.55 to 1.31% in forest soils whereas it varied from 0.43 to 0.72 % under deforested soils. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) followed the similar pattern to that of organic carbon. The mean values of mineral nitrogen content did not vary among forest and deforested soils. Phosphorus, potassium, DTPA-Fe and exchangeable aluminium had higher values in forest soils in comparison to deforested soils. Higher mean values of microbial biomass carbon were recorded under forest soils in comparison to deforested soils at all the locations and it varied from 70.45 to 113.12 μg g-1 in forest soils whereas it varied from 26.19 to 65.51 μg g-1 in deforested soils irrespective of soil depth. Similar trend was observed for microbial biomass N and P. Highest Urease content was recorded in Bhaderwah in forest as well as deforested soils, the values being 10.19 and 5.60 µg of NH4+ N released/g of soil, respectively whereas Samba soils had lowest mean value of Urease under forest as well as deforested lands. Acid phosphatase content followed the trend of Urease and it decreased due to deforestation at all locations. Highest Sulphatase content in forest and deforested soils was 76.95 and 42.26 µg of p-nitrophenol released/g of soil, respectively. Highest cellulase was recorded in Bhaderwah in forest as well as deforested soils with, the values were 347.26 and 190.78 µg of glucose released/g of soil, respectively. 16srRNA phylogenetic analysis revealed that, the most dominant Phylum was Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and so on in the soils under study. Dominant bacterial genera in order of relative abundance were Bacillus, CandidatusSolibacter, Clostridium, Anaerolinea, and so on in deforested lands. Top phyla under fungi were Ascomycata, Basidiomycota and Chytridiomycota. It can be concluded from the study that deforestation had a negative effect on soil health irrespective of forest types and climate zones. Removal of vegetation can significantly degrade soil health as is evident from decrease in soil nutrient content and reduced biological activity.
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preferred for your work. Arora RohitBiomediated Transformations in Forest Floor of Jammu Region Specify Series/Report No. From your Division/Faculty of your Thesis/ Dissertation.J-12-D-164-A
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