Abstract:
Individual soil features (pH, soil moisture factor, amounts of Na, K, Ca & Mg) were examined in a stand of Kochia pyramidata in relation to the patterned distribution of small plants and microtopography. Density of small plants showed significant regression coefficient with only Na (+ve) and pH (-ve). With microtopography only Na showed a significant positive relation. However, with density of small plants, soil cation balance showed positive and highly significant coefficients. The cation ratios were also significantly higher in the hummocks than in depressions. The experiment with four widely differing soils showed that soil variation had a much greater effect on the growth of K. pyramidata seedlings than variation in watering regimes applied. Regression analysis with respect to individual features of the soils showed seedling growth to have significant relationships with only pH and phosphorus. However, with respect to cation balance, seedling growth showed significant positive regression coefficients at harvests with each of the ratios K+Na/Ca+Mg and Ki+Na/Ca. This was supported by results of preliminary water culture experiment. From these field observations and experimental results it has been observed that casual connection may exist between the distribution of small plants, concentrated on hummocks, and the higher mono-/divalent cation status of soils of hummocks in stands of Kochia pyramidata.
Page(s):
1-18
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Sindh University Research Journal, Volume: 15, Issue: , Year: 1983