Effects of Removal of Pine (Pinus roxburghii) Needles from the Chir Pine forest Floor-A Preliminary Report

Study was Initiated to evaluate the effects of removal of Chir pine needles from the forest floor of 57 years old Pinus roxburghii plantation at the Champion Block. F.R I, Dehra Dun. Data collected for the first year reveal that maximum (83%) needle fall did occur during pre-monsoon period followed by monsoon months (12%), dry months (4%) and post monsoon months (1%). The moisture content in the needles, recorded was 5.5% for pre-monsoon needle fall, 6.0% for monsoon fall, 27.3% for dry period and 39.9% for post monsoon fall. Approximately 10.79% metric ton/ha of needles were shed during the year. This litter fall contained about 113 kg/ha of N., 15 kg/ha of P, 35 kg/ha of K, 65 Kr/ha of Ca, 22 kg/ha of Mg and 338 kg of ash/ha. No significant change in soil properties has been noticed at present due to removal of needles. The observation in this regard is continuing.