Effect of Morphological Characteristics of Fruit Orchards on Soil Physio-chemical Properties

Biophysical characteristics of 16-year-old fruit orchards and their influence on soil physico-chemical properties of sixteen-year-old fruit orchards established at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Birouli, Samastipur (Bihar) were compared. Fruit orchards were Mango (Mangifera indica) var. Malda, Litchi (litchi chinensis) var. China and Aonla (Emblica officinalis) var. NA-7. An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the dynamics of Oxidisable Organic Carbon (Coc), SOC sequestration, Bulk Density (BD), pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) in fruit orchards. All the orchards significantly improved SOC showing 12.9 to 44.6 % higher than that in open (without trees) and followed the order: Aonla > Litchi > Mango. The total SOC increased by 10 to 20 % at the surface and 15 to 35 % in the lower depths. The crown diameter of Mango, Litchi and Aonla orchards were 11.64 m, 8.61 m and 8.6 m and girth at breast height (GBH) varied from 9.53 m in Aonla orchard to 5.6 m in Litchi orchard. By and large, Aonla orchard may be considered as the best orchard production system from the standpoint of SOC build up and improvement in soil physic-chemical properties. Hence, its promotion and expansion as land-use practices in the calcareous belt of Bihar will be helpful for food security and mitigating climate change.