Nutrient Availability from Sandy Soils Underneath <I>Prosopis cineraria</I> (linn. Macbride) Compared to Adjacent Open Site in an Arid Environment

Abstract

Long term effects of P. cineraria (khejri) on the nutrients status and their availability from the underneath desert sandy soil were studied in comparison to adjacent open soil. The relative availability of nutrient i.e. N, P, K and S from two soils viz. 'khejri' and 'non-khejri' was studied following missing nutrient technique in greenhouse study. The results on nutrients status showed a significant increase in organic matter, total N, P and S, and available N, P and K contents in 'khejri' soils over 'non-khejri' soil. The dry matter yield of pearlmillet in 'khejri soil' increased significantly by 2-3 times over 'non-khejri' soil at all the comparable treatments. Per cent relative yields of nutrients showed the increased capacity of 'khejri soil' to supply these nutrients. In 'khejri soil', the per cent relative yields due to P, K and S were nearly 100% compared with full treatment of NPKS, while it was 85 per cent for N, indicating the lower availability of nitrogen.