Abstract

Various slash burning and taungya treatments were tested for their effects on soil properties in plots in a finally felled 1926 teak [Tectona grandis] plantation in Nilambur Forest Division, Kerala, which was replanted in 1982. There were 6 treatments: full slash burning, reduced slash burning and no slash burning, all with and without taungya. Present practice is full slash burning + taungya. Full slash burning involves uniformly spreading slash of 10-30 cm girth over the site (4. 7 kg/m2), while reduced slash burning is done only with partial slash of 10 cm girth (1. 9 kg/m2) . Burning was done in March 1982 and teak stumps were planted at 2X2 m spacing in mid-May 1982. Crops were raised in the interspaces for 2 yr: rice (Oryza sativa) June-September 1982gingeley (Sesamum indicum) October 1982-January 1983and cassava (Manihot esculenta) August 1983-March 1984. Soil samples (0-15 cm depth) were collected before and after burning (February 1981 and March 1982), and after the 3