Root Development in Alluvial Grasslands of Varanasi

Abstract

Soil monolith method is found to be suitable for study of root production and distribution for grassland species of Varanasi. Root development of forbs and grasses is explained for alhuvial soil conditions. Trend of root production and its distribution in Dichanthium and Bolhriochloa subjected to biotic disturbance on alluvial plains of Varanasi is recorded. Wet and dry phases of the habitats are explained to be the factors responsible for root extension and siratification among grassland spccics. Below ground production of 33840 kg/ha is found to be the maximum for Cynodon among the grasses.