Ameliorative Effect of Multipurpose Tree Species Grown on Sodic Soils of Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plains of India

Abstract

A Long-term field study was carried out to compare the impact of ten-year old plantation of ten multipurpose tree species, viz., Terminalia arjuna, Azadirachta indica, Prosopis juliflora, Pongamia pinnata, Casuarina equisetifolia, Prosopis alba, Acacia nilotica, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Pithecellobium dulce, and Cassia siamea on tree growth, biomass yield, and physico-chemical properties of sodic soils representing major tract of salt-affected soils of the Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plains of India. Maximum (100%) survival was recorded with Terminalia arjuna, Prosopis juliflora, Pongamia pinnata, and Pithecellobium dulce whereas minimum (50%) in Prosopis alba. Maximum plant height (9.3 m) was recorded with Eucalyptus tereticornis followed by Casuarina equisetifolia (8.2 m) whereas; minimum plant stature was attained by Cassia siamea. Prosopis juliflora reported maximum diameter at stump height, crown diameter, lopped biomass, and litter fall at all the growth stages. Prosopis juliflora also produced highest aerial biomass (70.27Mg ha−1) followed by Acacia nilotica (63.09Mg ha−1) and Casuarina equisetifolia (53.11Mg ha−1). Significant improvement in soil pH and electrical conductivity; exchangeable sodium percentage; organic carbon; and available N, P, and K was recorded under tree plantation than natural fallow. Significant reduction in soil bulk density (from 1.57 to 1.21 mg m−3) and increase in porosity (40.7 to 54.3%) and infiltration rate (2.10 mm day−1 to 26.30 mm day−1) was recorded under tree plantations. It is concluded that tree species like Prosopis juliflora, Acacia nilotica, and Casuarina equisetifolia have a significant impact on soil properties, which could help to rehabilitate the sodic wastelands in the region.