Distribution of organic carbon and forms of nitrogen in soil under mahogany and teak

Abstract

A study was made on the influence of mahogany and teak vegetation on soil characteristics, namely, pH, organic carbon and different forms of nitrogen. Soils under teak were more acidic than those under mahogany. The content of organic matter decreased with depth. Accumulation of organic matter was more under mahogany vegetation. This was true in the case of total nitrogen also. The C:N ratio of the soil was little influenced either by depth or by the type of vegetation. The ratios of total N to available N, total N to ammoniacal N and total N to nitrate N increased with increase in depth of the profile under both type of vegetation.