Research Article
Rupinder Kaur, Mamta Sharma &
Abstract
The present investigation is aimed at analyzing nutrient status in monoculture and polyculture land use systems in Solan (HP). Organic C, N, P and K distribution in pine forest (monoculture) and broad leaf forest (polyculture) were studied at soil depths of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-60 cm. It was observed that organic carbon, nitrogen and potassium decreased with an increase in soil depth but reverse trend was observed for phosphorus content. Soil organic carbon was 0.78 %, 0.59 % and 0.36 % in monoculture and 1.27 %, 1.00 % and 0.77 % in polyculture. Similarly nitrogen content 267.85, 212.64 and 194.32 kg ha-1 in pine forest and 247.77, 237.88 and 218.89 kg ha-1 in broad leaf forest was observed. Soil potassium decreased depth wise. Soil phosphorus increased with soil depth in both the types of forest studied. It is pertinent to mention that the nutrient status was better in polyculture compared for monoculture land use system.