Effect of high density Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Melia azedarach plantation on soil nutrients at different planting density

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during 2012-13 at Agroforestry Research Centre, Haldi, of G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (U. S. Nagar), Uttarakhand to study the effect of different planting density of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Melia azedarach on nutrient accumulation in soil. The experiment was laid out in split design with four subplots i.e., 3.0 m × 1.0 m, 3.0 m × 1.5 m, 3.0 m × 2.0 m and 3.0 m × 2.5 m of spacing replicated thrice. Maximum soil organic carbon content (1.73 and 1.79%) in Eucalyptus and Melia, respectively was recorded with greater planting density at 0-30cm depth, whereas, maximum NPK (356.6, 37.85 and 289.5 kg/ha, respectively) was obtained with wider spacing at the same depth. Annual litterfall affect the nutrient storage in soil which was found in the order: N>K>P. The nutrient shows the decreasing trend with increase in the depth of soil from 0-30 to 60-90cm.The nutrient (NPK) show significant relation with respect to planting density.