CHARACTERIZATION OF SOILS UNDER EUCALYPTUS PLANTATION IN MALUR AND HOSKOTE TALUKS OF KARNATAKA
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Date
2021-01
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University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot. (College of Horticulture, Bengaluru).
Abstract
A study was undertaken to assess the fertility status of surface soils under
different periods of eucalyptus cultivation (12, 24 and 48 years) and restoration (2, 6
and 10 years) and compared with adjacent croplands having no history of eucalyptus
cultivation. The results revealed that the soils under eucalyptus plantation showed high
bulk density and low water holding capacity as compared to restored and cropland plots.
Further, bulk density was increased while water holding capacity was decreased with
increasing the cultivation period of eucalyptus. Soils under eucalyptus plantation were
acidic in reaction and contained less total soluble salts. The soil acidity was increased
while total soluble salts content was decreased with prolonging the cultivation period of
eucalyptus. The available major nutrients except sulphur and total bacterial and
actinomycetes counts were low in soils under eucalyptus plantation and were decreased
with prolonging the cultivation period of eucalyptus. The available Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu
contents including total fungal counts were relatively more in soils under eucalyptus
plantation than restored and cropland plots and were increased with prolonging the
period of eucalyptus cultivation. A study on vertical distribution of nutrients in
eucalyptus, restored and cropland plots indicated that the available major and
micronutrients contents were decreased with depth except Mn content. A study on
allelopathic effect of eucalyptus tree parts aqueous extracts on seed germination and
seedling growth of finger millet and tomato revealed that the germination of tomato
seeds was more inhibited than finger millet seeds. Further, fresh leaves aqueous extract
has pronounced more inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling growth
attributes of finger millet and tomato followed by consortium of fresh leaves, juvenile
stem bark and root extracts while least inhibition was noticed in root extract at all levels
of concentration tried.