2018, Vol. 6, Issue 5, Part B

author(s)
Ayesha Shoukat, Adeel Ahmad, Tariq Rizwan, Rizwan Ahmed, Sarmad Frogh Arshad, Hasan Junaid Arshad and Asma Shah Rukh

abstract
The current study was carried out to determine the effects of plant covers on soil of Jilani Park Lahore. Ten random sites were selected: six sites from grass lawn, two from under tree plantation, and one from flower bed and one was selected from bare patch. Soil samples had dominant percentage of silt and the dark brown (10YR 4/3) to dark reddish brown (10YR 5/4) color was the dominant color observed in the soil of almost all the profile which indicated the soil uniformity. Lime nodules were mostly present in every profile. Soil pH of selected sites varied from 7.7 to 8.5 but under canopy and grass patches ranged from 9.8 to 10.3. Most of soil samples were non-saline but soil under plant cover was moderately saline. The analyses revealed that the soil contained increased proportion of accessible and low quantity of Nitrogen. Moreover, the Jilani’s Park soil also contained a significant amount of organic matter. These properties indicate that the soil of Park is somewhat fertile and need some management. It is obligatory to conserve its beauty. The restoration and maintenance include scrapping of 5 ft dead surface of the lawns, removal of debris beneath the lawns, supply of silt, irrigation system and purchase of pesticides.