SOIL AND VEGETATION STUDIES AT SOUTH BALAGHAT, MADHYA PRADESH IN A MIXED PLANTATION FOREST AREA

Abstract: A mixed plantation area at Varseoni Range of Balaghat district were studied in terms of soil profile, soil analysis, plant biomass, plant part analysis and vegetation study. In a comparative tree study of quantification of percentage of elements in different plant body parts, it was found that Nitrogen was in highest amount in Emblica officinalis leaf and lowest in Acacia catechu leaf; Phosphorus found highest in Gmelina arborea stem and lowest in Lagerstroemia parviflora branch; Potassium highest in Emblica officinalis leaf and lowest in Acacia catechu branch; Sodium highest in Dendrocalamus strictus leaf while lowest in Eucalyptus tereticornis branch; Calcium highest in Acacia catechu leaf while lowest in Acacia auriculiformis stem; Magnesium highest in Cleistanthus collinus branch while lowest in Acacia auriculiformis branch. Regarding the biomass study, the height and collar girth increase most in Cleistanthus collimus; height grows least in Lagerstroemia parviflora, and burring the case of bamboos, collar girth grows least in Eucalyptus tereticornis. The wet weight increases most in Emblica officinalis and least in Eucalyptus tereticornis