Dr. K. S. CHANNABASAPPASAUDAN SINGH2018-12-262018-12-262015-07http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810086298A field experiment was carried out at Siddapur forest area, Uttar Kannada district during 2014-15 on “Studies on moisture conservation structures and compost culture on growth performance of Acacia auriculiformis plantation in hilly area” The results indicated that significantly higher plant height (8.78 m), diameter at breast height (7.10 cm) and number of branches per plant (20.05) was recorded in ring basin with 75 g compost culture + 3 kg litter at 9 MAT. Soil moisture content in 0-30 cm depth (10.26 %) significantly higher in the treatment receiving ring basin + 3 kg litter at 9th month, over the other treatments. Among interaction treatments, ring basin with 75 g compost culture + 3 kg litter recorded significantly higher organic carbon (0.87 %), soil pH (5.92), available nitrogen (469.3 kg/ha), potassium (54.83 kg/ha) over the other treatments but in ring basin with 100 g PSB + 3 kg litter recorded significantly higher available phosphorus (19.18 kg/ha) compared to other treatments. The results of laboratory experiment on litter decomposition rate, indicated that significantly higher bacterial (CFU x 106/g), fungal (CFU x 104/g) and actinomycetes (CFU x 102/g) population were observed in 75 g compost culture + 2 kg litter (96.17 and 223.05), (18.17 and 97.50) and (44.28 and 199.27) at 30 and 120 DAI, respectively over control. The highest temperature was recorded in 75 g compost culture + 2 kg litter (26.74 0C and 31.52 0C) at 30 and 120 DAI, respectively over control. Significantly higher volume reduction of leaf litter was noticed in 75 g compost culture + 2 kg litter (135 and 1569 cm3) at 30 and 120 DAI, respectively. Significantly lower litter volume reduction was noticed in control (2.33 and 975.13 cm3) at 30 and 120 DAI, respectively.ennullThesis