RESTORATION OF DEGRADED SODIC SOILS THROUGH SILVIPASTORAL SYSTEMS IN
INDO-GANGETIC PLAINS
Abstract
Present study was conducted to analyze the role of silvipastoral systems
to improve soil properties for restoration of degraded sodic soils. Ten
years old tree species of Acacia nilotica, Casuarina equisetifolia and
Eucalyptus tereticornis planted in a highly sodic soil (pH 10.6, EC 1.43
dSm-1 and ESP 89) were used for understory plantation of grass species
like Chloris gayana, Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpureum. Maximum
growth and yield of understory grasses was recorded from treatment T4.
Among the grass species, the highest nutritive value (N, P, K) was
recorded in P. purpureum however, highest neutral detergent fiber and
acid detergent fiber in treatment T4 and T11 respectively. The N.P, K
and Na+ uptake in treatment T4 and T10 was significantly higher over
rest of the treatments. A significant improvement in soils physical
properties was recorded under treatment T7 and T4 which was attributed
to reduced sodicity, addition of leaf litter, and increase in microbial
activities due to tree and grass roots, better plant growth, and fine
root decay. However, improvement in soil chemical properties was
recorded under treatment T4 which may be attributed to more release of
CO2 by grass roots and solublization of CaCO3.The highest MBC and MBP
was recorded in treatment T7 however, highest MBN and dehydrogenase
activities were recorded under treatment T4.On the basis of improvement
in soil physico-chemical and biological properties in the tree+grass
systems, A.nilotica+C.gayana silvipastoral system could be highly
ameliorative and biomass producing system for restoration of degraded
sodic soils of Indo-Gangetic plains.