Effect of ber and pomegranate plantation on soil nutrient status of typic torripsamments

A study was conducted in arid region of western Rajasthan to determine the cumulative effect of leaf litter of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) and pomegranate (Punica granatum) plantations on the changes of soil nutrients below the tree canopy and their interspaces at surface (0–15 cm) and sub-surface (15–60 cm) depth. The results of the study showed that both the fruit species exerted gain in the nutrient contents in the soil below the canopy area and their interspaces. The beneficial effect of Ziziphus mauritiana in improving the soil nutrient status was however, more pronounced. Ten year after plantation of ber and pomegranate, organic carbon below the canopy increased from 0.03 to 0.39% and 0.03 to 0.25% in ber and pomegranate, respectively. Available P increased from 9.16 to 12.35; 9.16 to 10.67 kg ha⁻¹ and exchangeable cations [cmol (p+)/kg] (Ca²⁺ 5.1 to 8.0; 5.1 to 6.8, Mg²⁺ 1.2 to 2.0; 1.2 to 2.0 and K⁺ 0.3 to 2.3; 0.3 to 1.9) under the canopy area of ber and pomegranate which entails the benefits of plantations in the development of dune soils. Gain in nutrient content between the interspace although was lower than the canopy area but was higher than control. Nutrient returns through litterfall followed the order N > K > Ca > P.