Abstract

A study was carried out in the moist deciduous forest and eucalypt (Eucalyptus tereticornis) uncoppiced, 1 and 11 coppiced plantations along a transect to evaluate the impact on soils of growing eucalypt in Kerala. Ten surface samples were taken from the four ecosystems and analyses were carried out for particle size separates, soil pH, organic carbon, exchangeable bases, exchange acidity, available N, P, K, Ca and Mg. Bulk density and gravel contents were also determined. Soil properties in the eucalypt plantations differed significantly from those in the moist deciduous forest. Significant differences in soil properties among three eucalypt plantations were also observed. The soils in the I and II coppiced plantations were found to be more coarse and compacted. The study revealed that by growing eucalypt in the same area for a long period deteriorates the fertility of the land for which necessary soil management measures are warranted