Affiliation:
1. Rain Forest Research Institute
Abstract
Cherrapunjee has ragged terrains and deep slopes. Barren rocks without any vegetation cover are dominating feature of the area. Study on soil physico-chemical properties done for re-establishment of vegetation in near future. Soils were shallow, coarse textured, less fertile in terms of available nutrient (N, P, K and Ca, Mg), and are acidic. Soil erosion is severe. Dominant plant species are Saccharum spontanum, Neyraudia reynaudiana, Setaria glauca, Axonopus compressus, and Imperata cylindrica. Some dicotyledonous species such as Trifolium repens, Robustum spp, Schima wallichii, Eugenia sp., Musanda sp. Toona ciliata, Pandanus odoratissimus, Erythrina arborescens, Myrica esculenta, Pinus kesiya, Alnus nepalensis, Exbucklandia populania etc. were observed as natural vegetation in patches. Soil conservation practices such as bench terrace, stone bunding, grassed water ways etc. can be adopted. Soil erosion could be controlled by developing grasses and pasture land. Planting nitrogen fixing herbs and shrubs at the initial stage may be done for buildup of soil nutrient and organic matter. Soil mulching along with the fertilizer treatment may prove effective for initial establishment of plantation.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Reference14 articles.
1. Borthakur, D. N. (1992). Agriculture of North Eastern Region with Special Reference to Hill agriculture. Beecee Prakashan, Guwahati, India
2. Bray, R. H. and Kurtz, L. T. (1945). Determination of total, organic and available forms of phosphorus in soil. Soil Sci. 59: 39-45
3. Chopra, S. L. and Kanwar, J. S. (1976). Analytical Agricultural Chemistry, Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana
4. Dabadghao, P. M. and Shankarnarayan, K. A. (1973). The grass covers of India, Indian Council of Agric. Res. New Delhi
5. Jackson, M. L. (1973). Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice Hall, New Delhi