This study analysed the comparative status of soil physico-chemical properties in monoculture exotic tree plantations of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Robinia pseudoacacia and indigenous tree plantations of Pinus roxburghii and Acacia modesta. In many developing countries, introduction of exotic species has shown to have ecological impacts ranging from soil nutrients depletion to lowering water tables, to allelopathic effects. In this study, we collected soil samples from indigenous plantations and adjacent exotic plantations to examine how exotic plantations might impact soil quality relative to indigenous species plantations. Soil properties, including organic matter, organic carbon, pH, total nitrogen, phosphorus, Potassium, Soil electric conductivity and calcium carbonate were measured in samples collected from 12 research plots in the study area. Soil pH, soil OM, OC, pH, N, P, K and calcium carbonate of the soil of plantations of Acacia modesta, Pinus roxburghii, Robinia pseudoacacia and Eucalyptus camaldulensis were found to be significantly different. Findings of these results shows that, the monoculture of exotic plantations might have significant impacts on soil physico-chemical properties. For maintaining soil fertility and providing natural habitat conditions to the understorey plants, the monoculture of exotic species should be avoided and plantations of indigenous species must be promoted.

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