Research Article | Published: 01 June 2013

Effect of soil properties on the growth of Acacia auriculiformis plantations in Kerala, India

P. Rugmini, M.P.  Sujatha, R.C.  Pandalai and K.T.  Vijith

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 36 | Issue: 2 | Page No. 155-166 | 2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2013-09GX9F | Cite this article

Abstract

A study was carried out in Acacia auriculiformis plantation belonging to different age, site quality and stocking classes in Kerala, India. Growth measurements involving girth at breast? height (1.37 m above ground) and height were recorded for two successive years from fifty semi-permanent sample plots. In addition to these measurements, miscellaneous tree species growing in these plots were also recorded. Diameter increment and volume (in terms of commercial, pulpwood, and timber over-bark and timber under-bark) increment were computed. Soil samples from depth levels of 0-10, 10-20 cm of pits were taken from fifty sample plots. The soils samples collected from each plot were subjected to physical and chemical analyses to determine texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available N, P, K, exchange acidity (EA), exchangeable Al, Ca, Mg and available Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn using standard procedures. Effect of soil properties on the growth of A. auriculiformis was studied through empirical approach. The study has also shed light on the optimum levels of soil attributes, which maximize the tree growth. It was observed that the influence of soil properties on tree diameter/volume growth varied with the soil depth levels. In 0-10 cm depth level, no significant relationship between soil properties and tree diameter growth, while significant relationship was found between timber under-bark volume growth and sand in 0-10 cm layer. In 10-20 cm depth level, the tree diameter growth was significantly influenced by soil K and timber under-bark volume growth was significantly affected by soil pH. Since the empirical models obtained were all linear in nature in all the depth levels, the optimum levels of soil attributes, which maximize the tree growth, could not be determined.

Keywords

Exotic, Fertility, Crown, Saleable, Nutrient management, Hydraulic conductivity, Site index

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How to cite

Rugmini, P., Sujatha, M., Pandalai, R. and Vijith, K., 2013. Effect of soil properties on the growth of Acacia auriculiformis plantations in Kerala, India. Indian Journal of Forestry, 36(2), pp.155-166. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2013-09GX9F

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 01 June 2013

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