Impact of different silvipastoral systems on understorey vegetation and soil properties

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in seven different silvipastoral systems viz. T₁ -Cedrus deodara, T₂ - Robinia pseudoacacia, T₃ - Cupressus torulosa, T₄ - Prunus armeniaca, T₅ - Ailanthus altissima, T₆ - mixed plantations and T₇ - grassland (control) of Sindh range, Ganderbal Forest Division, Kashmir Province. It aimed 7 to assess floristic composition of different plantations and their impact on understorey vegetation and soil nutrients. The results revealed that 12 shrub and 43 herb species were found in all these systems. Cyanodon dactylon was the dominating species under grassland (control), Ailanthus altissima and Cupressus torulosa plantations. Oxalis acetosella was dominating under Cedrus deodara plantations. Lolium perenne was dominating species under mixed stand, Robinia pseudoacacia and Prunus armeniaca plantations. Maximum available nitrogen was recorded in T₂ Robinia pseudoacacia  plantation (363.76 kg ha^-1 ), whereas the highest values for phosphorus and potassium (23.44 kg ha^-1 and 312 kg ha^-1 respectively) were recorded in T - 5 Ailanthus altissima plantation. Maximum soil organic carbon and electrical conductivity (2.14% and 0.51 dSm-1, respectively) was recorded in T - plantation. pH in different plantation types followed the 5 Ailanthus altissima trend of T₇ >T₅ >T₄ >T₆ >T₂ >T₁ >T3 plantations.