Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science

The effects of Eucalyptus cilriodora on the physical and chemical properties of soil at different depths (0–30, 30–60 and 60–90 cm) were studied. The increase in the clay and silt content and decrease in the sand content in the sites under Eucalyptus citriodora were marginal, when compared to open sites. There was a slight decrease in bulk density and particle density in the sites under plantation over that of open sapee. The increase in the porosity and maximum water holding capacity of sites under plantation was slight, when compared to open space. There was a slight increase in the pH of soil under vegetated area, whereas no appreciable change in EC was observed There was an appreciable increase in the cation exchange capacity, organic carbon content, total and available nutrients in the sites under vegetation. The increase/decrease of soil properties due to the influence of Eucalyptus cilriodora was more in surface (0–30 cm) than in subsurface soil (30–60 and 60–90 cm) layers. The underwood vegetation in the study area and leaf litter production over the period of establishment, percentage contribution of individual component and nutrient concentration in leaf were also recorded.