Variation in microbial biomass carbon under the canopy of Salix alba plantations in temperate regions of Kashmir (India)

The present investigation entitled “variation in microbial biomass carbon under the canopy of Salix alba plantations in temperate regions of Kashmir” were carried out during the year 2011 and 2012 in the willow plantations established by Plantation Division of State Forest Department in Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla and Ganderbal Districts of Kashmir valley. After conducting a detailed survey, two plantation blocks of willow were selected in each district. Five quadrants of 10 × 40 m (400 m2) size were laid at each block for sampling to record the various observations. The soil microbial biomass carbon was maximum (0.427 t ha⁻¹) at Bandipora and minimum (0.376 t ha⁻¹) at Anantnag. The average value of soil microbial biomass carbon under Salixalba plantations at all locations was 0.402 t ha⁻¹. The soil microbial biomass carbon varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) between the selected locations. The higher mean microbial biomass carbon content of 190.51 μg C g-1 was recorded at Bandipora, followed by 186.10 μg C g-1 at Baramulla, 172.86 μg C g-1 at Ganderbal and 167.70 μg C g-1 at Anantnag. There was no clear monthly trend of microbial biomass carbon which varied within the range of 57.05 to 228.20 μg C g-1 during the period of investigation