Effect of Tree species and Seasons on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in the Semi-Arid Forest of Delhi

Ekta

doi:10.36808/if/2024/v150i9/170194

Effect of Tree species and Seasons on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in the Semi-Arid Forest of Delhi

Authors

Ekta Department of Botany, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi, Jharkhand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2024/v150i9/170194

Keywords:

Semi-Arid Forest, Mineralization, Ridge, Canopy, Soil Temperature.

Abstract

Soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) are a very crucial component of nutrient cycling. They can be affected by different plant traits and stand properties through the influence of nutrients released to the soil via mineralization. In this study, the soil C and N concentration were investigated in different seasons under canopies of different tree species. The study has primarily shown the effect of seasons on soil C and N. However, information on the effect of trees is primarily missing in the semi-arid forest of Delhi. This ascertained the effect of tree species and seasons on C and N content beneath the canopy of selected tree species. The study was carried out in a protected region in the Northern ridge of Delhi. A noticeable seasonal variation was observed in this study, which was highest in pre-monsoon and lowest in winter. The highest C content was found under the canopy of Cassia fistula (2.55%) and lowest C was found under Morus alba (1.82%). Similarly, N content was also maximum under the canopy of Cassia fistula (0.23%) and minimum in Pongamia pinnata (0.14%). No significant increase was found in soil C and N under N-fixing trees compared with non-N-fixing trees. C and N content were positively correlated with season and soil temperature under tree species indicating that soil properties control the nutrient content.

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