Contribution of Jatropha curcas to soil quality improvement in a degraded Indian entisol

Abstract Soil quality improvement is critical to any rehabilitation programme in dry land degraded ecosystems. This study reports on the impact of cultivation of Jatropha curcas with or without soil amendments on the structural stability, and carbon and nitrogen content of a degraded Entisol under rehabilitation in western India. Cultivation of Jatropha curcas resulted in 11% average increase in mean weight diameter of the soil and 2% increase in soil macro-aggregate turnover. Cultivation of Jatropha curcas with nitrogen and phosphorus- or without any-amendment improved macro-aggregate stability relative to nearby native vegetation. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation between organic carbon and mean weight diameter. The cultivation of Jatropha curcas appeared to have also contributed to the quality of these soils as it maintained organic carbon and nitrogen stock and displayed a potential to increase carbon sequestration rate. Soil structure recovery under cultivation of Jatropha curcas implies a sustainable improvement in the surface integrity of these soils, which will ensure more water infiltration rather than runoff and erosion.

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