Influence of Tree Cover on Physical Properties of Soil

Abstract

An experiment on the influence of tree cover on physical properties of soil was carried out at Instructional Farm, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari (Gujarat) under twelve-years old plantation during the year 2002-2003. The experiment was laid out in FCRD with eleven treatments viz., Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Hed (Adina cordifolia), Teak (Tectona grandis), Sharu (Casuarina equisetifolia), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus), Biyo (Pterocarpus marsupium), Killai (Albizia procera), Khair (Acacia catechu) and control (open field) with three replications. The soil samples were collected from three depths (0-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm). Maximum improvement in physical characteristics of soil viz., particle density, bulk density, porosity, and water holding capacity were recorded under D. sissoo plantation and observed in upper layer (0-30 cm) of soil.