Storage of Nutrients In Different Components of Selected Tree Species, Shrubs and Herb Layer Under the Tree Species

Dr.Beena Sharma

Volume : III, Issue : VII, July - 2014

Storage of Nutrients In Different Components of Selected Tree Species, Shrubs and Herb Layer Under the Tree Species

Dr. Beena Sharma

Abstract :

In the present study accumulation of nutrients (N, P, Ca, Mg, and K) in various plant parts of three different dominant trees i.e. Acacia senegal (As), Acacia tortilis (At) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Ec), shrubs and herb layer present under their canopy was determined. Concentration of nutrients was determined for bole, first order anch, other anch, foliage, seeds, stump root, lateral root and fine roots while for the dominant shrubs nutrient concentration was determined in stem, foliage and roots. In case of herbaceous ground vegetation, nutrient concentration was estimated for above ground and below ground parts. The study was carried out in the sand dunes of Western foot hill gaps of Central Aravalli located at a distance of 10 Km N-W to Ajmer, a centrally situated city of Rajasthan. The concentration of nutrients was found to be maximum in foliage except for nitrogen which was estimated higher in seeds of A. senegal and A. tortilis. A different pattern was recorded for E. camaldulensis where N, Ca, and Mg were recorded maximum in other anch, while P and K in foliage parts. The pattern of nutrient concentration in different life forms was observed in the order: Trees > Shrubs > Herbs. Result shows the concentration of nutrients in different tree components in the order: foliage > seeds > other anch > first order anch > bole, and in root components: fine root > lateral root > stump root. Total nutrient concentration was found to be maximum in As followed by At and Ec. It is concluded that the foliage and above ground component of various trees, shrubs and herb layer has maximum nutrient concentrations. There are marked variations in the concentration of different nutrients in each component.