Soil health (physical, chemical and biological) status under short rotation tree plantations on riverain soils

Abstract

Soil health under four multipurpose tree plantation (Acacia catechu, Dalbergia sissoo, Melia azedarach and Terminalia arjuna) after ten years of growth was assessed on riverain soils. Data revealed higher nutritional level under canopy of Terminalia arjuna than other three tree species. However, soil health in terms of physical and chemical parameters showed improvement under all the tree species than the control (tree-less area). An enhanced enzymatic activity besides microbial biomass carbon was observed underneath soil of different species than tree-less area, which shows ameliorative potential of soil through plantations on degraded soils.