NITROGEN FIXATION BY NON LEGUMINOUS PLANT SEA BUCKTHORN IN SEMI ARID CLIAMATIC CONDITIONS OF GILGIT-BALTISTAN

The study aims at quantification of nitrogen fixation by a non leguminous medicinal plant i.e. seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoids L.) at different ages and depths particularly its effects on others physiochemical parameters of the soils at Jalalabad Village, District Gilgit, Baltistan. The results showed that contents of Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO3-N) of the sampled soil increased near root nodules and in aged plants, while decreased with increasing depth and in younger plants or forest. Average maximum value of NO3-N was 7.96 ppm at 12 cm depth and minimum value of 2.41 ppm was at 25 cm depth; while at 50 cm, it was slightly higher than 25 cm depth sample which was 2.43 ppm. Simlarly, organic matter of sampled soil increased with age of forest and decreased with increase in depths and in younger plants or forests, where average maximum value was recorded 1.65% at 12 cm depth in 10 year age forest, the percent organic matter at 25 cm depth was found to be median as compared to 12 cm and 50 cm depth where average percent organic matters was 1.10% and average minimum value was recorded 1.06% in soil sample at 50 cm depth in 8 years age forest. The pH value of the sampled soil increased with increasing soil depth average. The pH value was minimum 7.32 pH at 12 cm depth and maximum 7.55 pH at 25 cm depth. At 50 cm, it was sligtly lower to 25 cm similarly pH value decreased with the age of forest compared to control. It was maximum 7.55 in 10 years forest and minmum 7.41 pH in 8 year forets.after 8 years pH slightly increased to 7.55 to in soil for 10 years forest. Electrical conductivity (EC) value of the sampled soil decreased with increasing in soil depth and the age of Sea buckthorn forest, Average value was minimum at 25cm depth (0.24) dsm^-1 and maximum was (0.42) dsm^-1 at 12 cm depth. At 50 cm it was slightly higher to 25 cm deep soils. Similarly, It was maximum 0.33 dsm^-1 in 6 years forest and minimum 0.23 dsm^-1 in 10 years SBT forest.