Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the effects of fire on soil chemical and textural properties in semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, grassland, and eucalypt (Eucalyptus tereticornis) and teak (Tectona grandis) plantations. In each ecosystem, plots of 20X20 m were laid out and soil samples from 0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm layers of 3 soil pits in each plot were collected before and after controlled burning of litter, undergrowth, shrubs and slash. Fire had no noticeable effect on soil texture or pH, but changes were observed in organic carbon, exchangeable bases and exchangeable acidity. In semi-evergreen forest, organic carbon increased while exchangeable bases decreased. Organic carbon and exchangeable bases increased in soils of moist deciduous forest but decreased in grassland. Soils in eucalypt plantations had higher organic carbon and lower exchangeable bases but these both decreased in teak. Exchangeable acidity was lower in all ecosystems after burning. Statistical