Abstract:
The study involved characterization of physical, chemical and biological
Properties of a severely disturbed soil in Kamburupitiya, which has been
Previously maintained under agroforestry.
The bulk density, true density, and porosity of the soil were 1.163 gcm3 ,2.14
Gcm3 and 45.6% respectively, with a water holding capacity of 28.5%. the per
Cent organic matter and N in the soil were 0.451 and 0.0088, respectively,
Whereas the corresponding values in an undisturbed neighboring site ,were
1,214 and and 0.095. the cation exchange capacity of the degraded soil was
4.71 m.e.per 100g. of soil and had a H value of 4.2. the corresponding figures
For the reference site were 7.4 and 5.43 ,respectively. Biological activity of the
Soil as measured by soil respirometry, amounted to 0.716mg CO2 /1000g of
Soil/hr and 1.355 mg CO2/1000g. of soil/hr in disturbed and undisturbed soil,
Respectively. No macro fauna was evident in the soil. Even after 12 years of
Disturbance, soil regeneration was extremely slow, thus agronomic interventi
Ons prove important to accelerate the soil restoration process.
