Impact of different silvipastoral systems on understorey vegetation and soil properties

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in seven different silvipastoral systems viz. T -Cedrus deodara, T - 1 2Robinia pseudoacacia, T - Cupressus torulosa, T - Prunus armeniaca, T - Ailanthus altissima, T - mixed 3 4 5 6plantations and T - grassland (control) of Sindh range, Ganderbal Forest Division, Kashmir Province. It aimed 7to assess floristic composition of different plantations and their impact on understorey vegetation and soilnutrients. The results revealed that 12 shrub and 43 herb species were found in all these systems. Cyanodondactylon was the dominating species under grassland (control), Ailanthus altissima and Cupressus torulosaplantations. Oxalis acetosella was dominating under Cedrus deodara plantations. Lolium perenne wasdominating species under mixed stand, Robinia pseudoacacia and Prunus armeniaca plantations. Maximumavailable nitrogen was recorded in T - plantation (363.76 kg ha ), whereas the highest 2 Robinia pseudoacacia -1values for phosphorus and potassium (23.44 kg ha-1 and 312 kg ha-1 respectively) were recorded in T 5Ailanthus 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 altissimatrend of T >T T T T >T T plantations.