EFFECT OF MULTIPURPOSE TREE SPECIES ON CHEMICAL-PROPERTIES OF AN ACIDALFISOL IN MEGHALAYA

A field investigation was initiated in 1987 at Barapani on an extremel y P-deficient acid Alfisol to evaluate the multi-purpose tree species suitable for agro-forestry systems. Quit of the 15 tree species studie d. albizia [Periserianthes falcataria (L.) Nielsen, syn Albizia moluca nna Miq.] indian alder (Alnus nepalensis D. Don), tree bean (Parkin ro xburghii G. Don) and champak (Michelia oblorga Wall. ex Hook. f. and T horns.) were found promising for growth performance and timber volume. Different tree species intercropped with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Me rr.]-linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) sequence increased the exchangea ble Ca++, Mg++ and K+ and the Bray's P-2-phosphorus. The top soil unde r tree bean champak and japanese cidar [Croptomeria japonica (L.f.) D. Don] was found enriched with Ca++ (640-800 kp/ha) compared with the i nitial Ca content 480 kg/ha). Mg++ content increased after 3 years of plantation under himalayan wild cherry (Prunus cerasoides D. Don), alb izia and indian alder by 168-192 kg/ha compared with 120 kg/ha before plantation, and Bray's P-2-P by 10-15 kg/ha compared with initial 2.4 kg/ha. However, the B content declined from 0.9 mg/kg to 0.55-0.88 mg/ kg under champak, himalayan cypress (Cupressus torulosa D. Don], japan ese cidar and himalayan wild cherry. The tree species increased the ex changeable Ca++. K+, Mg++ and P contents in the subsurface, due to the litter input by tree roots.