Studies on soil physico-chemical properties at different locations and elevations of Quercus leucotrichophora forests

Abstract

The present investigation entitled "Studies on soil physico-chemical properties at different locations and elevations of Quercus leucotrichophora forests" was carried out during the year 2018-19 to know the soil physico-chemical properties in Chail forests of district Solan, Kufri forests of district Shimla, Sarahan and Churdhar forests in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh with three elevations i.e., E1 (<1500 m), E2 (1500-1800 m) and E3 (>1800 m) in each. Composite samples were collected from 15 cm depth for soil and biochemical analysis. Among locations, the thickness of forest litter layer, microbial activity, available K and P content showed a decreasing trend as: Kufri forest soils > Chail forest soils > Churdhar forest soils > Sarahan forest soils. Among elevations, the thickness of forest litter layer and Organic C followed the trend as: E3 > E2 > E1 whereas, soil pH, bulk density, available N, P and K content fell as E1 > E2 > E3. Maximum available N, soil EC and Bulk density was found in Chail forest. Kufri forest soils have shown best results for all soil parameters.