Changes in soil properties under fruit tree species in semi-arid zone
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Date
2023-05-25
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CCSHAU, Hisar
Abstract
The present study, entitled "Changes in soil properties under fruit tree species in semi-arid zone" was carried out in 2022-2023 at the experimental farm of the Department of Horticulture, CCSHAU, Hisar, with the objective to study the effect of fruit tree species on physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Soil samples were collected from four fruit tree species and bare site (control) at four depths (0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90 cm) to analyse different soil properties. Experiment was laid out in RBD design with four replications. Four fruit tree species namely Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Syzygium cuminii and Aegle marmelos were selected for the study.
The results of the present investigation showed that nutrient levels were higher at the surface layer (0-15 cm) of soil and decreased with increasing depth. Soil pH and EC reduced significantly under jamun and guava orchards by 5.8% and 81.9%, respectively over control. Highest pH and EC was recorded in mango orchard. Jamun orchard recorded highest OC, N, total N, S and DTPA extractable Fe, Mn, Zn while the available P, K, total P, K, DTPA extractable Cu were found to be highest in bael orchard. Soils under bael orchard recorded the highest total Fe, Mn and Cu content while as total Zn was found to be highest in soils under guava orchard. MBC and dehydrogenase activity increased by 43.8% and 71.8% in jamun, 41.4% and 59.3% in bael, 39.6% and 54.6% in guava and 33.5% and 53.1% in mango over control. Highest percent increase in alkaline phosphatase and urease activity was by jamun (45.8% and 40.3%), followed by bael (38.3% and 39%) and lowest in control. Highest bulk density and penetration resistance was observed in mango orchard and lowest in jamun orchard. Highest water holding capacity was recorded in jamun (40.6%), followed by bael (38.8%), guava (38.5%) and mango (36.3%).