Soil Moisture Accretion with Progressive Rainfall Under <I>Tectona Grandis</I> (Teak) and <I>Eucalyptus</I> Plantations

Abstract

Gradual accretion of soil moisture in different depths with the progression of rainfall under Tectona grandis and Eucalyptus plantation at Langha range of Mussoorie Forest Division was studied. When cumulative rainfall rises upto 148.4 mm, water percolates only upto 75 cm depth under both plantation. At CRF 815.2 mm entire profile gets charged and no further increase in soil moisture was observed at 1421.1 m CRF, especially under Tectona grandis. The moisture accretion, in general, was higher in the soils supporting Eucalyptus in comparison to those under Teak plantation and, in particular in the lower depths at and above CRF of 815.2 mm. It was observed that during dry months soil moisture has positive relationship with depth.