Effects of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce and Prosopis juliflora (SW.) DC on some chemical characteristics of soil

The aim this study was to investigate effects of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce and Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC on physiochemical characteristics of soil and compare them with open area in mixed stand of south forest of Iran. For this purpose, we selected 15 p. cineraria and p. juliflora in the mixed forest of Sirik, Hormoazgan province. Then combinative soil samples were randomly collected in four geographical directions (10cm depth) under each tree and open area in spring, 2018 and were transferred to the laboratory in order to be measured pH, soil moisture, organic matter, electric conductivity, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. Result sowed that all soil characteristics (except for pH) are higher under tree than those in open area (p<0.05). Also magnesium, organic matter and moisture with the amounts of 72.23 mg/L, 1.32% and 15.00% were highest under p. cineraria crown. Amounts of potassium, sodium and magnesium (239.7, 174.93 and 206.75mg/L) were highest under p.juliflora crown. In addition, EC (2.32 ds/m) increased and pH (7.10) decreased than those in open area significantly. In according to this study, p. cineraria and p. juliflora influence on soil ochemical characteristics (except for pH and EC) positively but totally due to remarkable effect of p. cineraria on key characteristics of soil moisture and organic matter and negative effects of p. juliflora on electrical conductivity increase in sensitive ecosystem of south of Iran, afforestation by native species is preferred than to exotic species.