Effects of rainwater harvesting and afforestation on soil properties and ...

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grazing exacerbate this problem as a result one can see barren hills devoid of vegetation throughout the Aravalli ranges. When put under protection from human ...
African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology Vol. 6(8), pp. 300-311, August 2012 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJEST DOI: 10.5897/AJEST11.040 ISSN 1996-0786 ©2012 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of rainwater harvesting and afforestation on soil properties and growth of Emblica officinalis while restoring degraded hills in western India G. Singh*, A. U. Khan, Ashok Kumar, N. Bala and U. K. Tomar Arid Forest Research Institute, Division of Forest Ecology, New Pali Road, Jodhpur-342005 (Rajasthan), India. Accepted 30 May, 2012

Effect of rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures like Contour trench (CT), gradonie (GD), box trench (BT), V-ditch (VD) and afforestation with Emblica officinalis Gaertn (planted in August, 2005) were studied in 20% slopes with a view to improve soil status, plant growth, sequester carbon and rehabilitate hills for local benefits. Soil pH and EC decreased and percent soil, SOC, NO3-N and PO4-P increased in June 2010 over 2005. Enhanced soil water and nutrients in 20% and 20%), medium (10-20%) and gentle slopes (