A Study of Foliar and Soil Nutrient Status of <I>Salvadora persica</I> Linn. in the Thar Desert of India

Abstract

The nutrient content of the leaves of Salvadora persica L. of the Indian Thar Desert was studied in relation to its soils. The soils which were mostly light yellowish brown in colour, coarse-sandy in texture and alkaline in reaction contained a meagre amount of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. The contents of exchangeable calcium and sodium and available phosphorus did not change appreciably with soil depth. The content of different cations in soil varied at different sites but the depressions had comparatively lesser potassium than the sandy plain areas. The same was seen in respect of sodium, calcium and magnesium also. The foliage of the plant is richer in calcium and sodium, with strong positive correlationship (r=0.81) between soil and leaf potassium.