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Effect of Forest Fire on Microbial Diversity of the Degraded Shola Forest Ecosystem of Nilgiris Eastern Slope Range

Author Affiliations

  • 1Dept. of Tree Breeding, Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam - 641301, TN, INDIA
  • 2Dept. of Tree Breeding, Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam - 641301, TN, INDIA
  • 3Dept. of Tree Breeding, Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam - 641301, TN, INDIA
  • 4Dept. of Tree Breeding, Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam - 641301, TN, INDIA
  • 5Dept. of Tree Breeding, Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam - 641301, TN, INDIA

Res. J. Agriculture & Forestry Sci., Volume 1, Issue (5), Pages 5-8, June,8 (2013)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in t he degraded shola forest ecosystem of the Nilgiris Eastern Slope Range situated in the Nilgiris North Division, Tamil Nadu, India to evaluate the effect of fire on the microbial diversity of the soil. Representative soil samples were collected at four diff erent depths (0 - 15, 15 - 30, 30 - 45 and 45 - 60 cm) during four different seasons (summer, pre - rainy, post - rainy and winter) from both fire affected and unaffected areas of degraded shola forest ecosystem and were analysed for their biological properties. The b acterial population was 109.0 per cent higher in the burnt area as compared to the unburnt area. However, there was a reduction in the fungal and actinomycetes population to the tune of 31.4 and 75.0 per cent, respectively in the burnt area than the unbur nt area. The conclusion drawn from the present study showed an increase in bacterial population and reduction in fungal and actinomycetes population.

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