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Rubber Growing Soils as Assessed by Some Selected Physical Properties

M. T. Islam
Assistant Professor
Department of Soil Science, B.M. College. Barisal.

S. Hoque
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

T. H. Khan
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

A. H. Khan
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Soils were collected from Madhupur and Karnajhora Rubber Estates to determine their suitability for rubber plantation. The soils of these two locations belong to Tejgaon, Belabo and Kulaura series. Moisture retention capacity, permeability, pH, and level of nutrients were the common limitations of these three series. The internal drainage conditions of the Tejgaon and Belabo series were imperfect. The drainage conditions of different horizons of the soils varied considerably. The texture as well as permeability of the Tejgaon and Belabo series were not suitable for rubber plant. In particle-size distribution, silt fraction predominated (37.4 to 56.5 per cent) at different depths of the Tejgaon and Belabo series with the exception to that of A horizon of these series whereas sand fraction predominated (26.8 to 43.2 per cent) in Kulaura series. Percentage of silt and sand decreased while percent of clay increased considerably with increase in depth of the profile. The major portions (67.3 to 95.8 per cent) of the primary particles <0.01 mm we represent in aggregated forms >0.01 mm. Particle density and bulk density ranged from 2.62 to 2.72 gcm-3 and 1.29 to 1.51 gcm-3, respectively.

Keywords: Soil, Rubber, Physical Properties, East soil

Location: Santoshpur and Pirgacha sites under Madhupur Estate, situated in Tangail district and Karnojhora Rubber Estate, situated in Sherpur district, Bangladesh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Rubber wood, Land management

Objectives:

To assess the soil suitability for rubber cultivation through investigation of some selected physical properties of Madhupur and Karnajhora Rubber Estate soils.

Methodology:

Soil samples were collected from six locations of Santoshpur and Pirgacha sites under Madhupur Estate, situated in Tangail district and Karnojhora Rubber Estate, situated in Sherpur district. Each sample was a composite sample of three sub-samples. Pirgacha, Chandpur, Santoshpur and Kamalapur sites were covered by Tejgaon and Belabo series and Karnojhora Rubber Estate was covered by KulaUI·a series. Six pits were opened up to a depth of 1m, and 2 pits were selected from each series. Soil samples were collected from genetic horizon of the profile. Undisturbed core samples and disturbed soil samples were collected from each horizon. The core samples were placed in transporting bags and the soil clods were put into polythene bags for transporting to the laboratory. These collected samples were analyzed for physical properties. Prior to laboratory analysis, the collected disturbed soil samples were all-dried, ground to pass through 2 mm sieve and were preserved in plastic pots. A water release curve was developed for each soil to describe the water retention characteristics of soils. Water contents at 0 to 1.0 bar and 3.0 to 15.0 bar were determined as described. Hygroscopic moisture content of the soils was determined by drying the air dried soil in oven at 105°C to 1 I0°C for 24 hours. Total porosity of soil was calculated from the data of particle density and bulk density using the formula [% Porosity = (1- Bulk density/ Particle density) x 100] as described. Void ratio was calculated from the data of soil porosity (f) using Void ratio = f I ( 100-f) formula (when volume of expressed in per cent). Pore size distribution of the soils was computed from data on soil moisture retention i.e. 0=0.3/P (where, P = applied pressure and D = diameter of the pores in equilibrium with this pressure). Soil structure was evaluated by micro aggregate analysis of the soils.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Soil Sci. 36 (1-2): 17-26, 2010

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The total porosity of the soils of Madhupur and Ka majhora Rubber Estate varied from 43.4 to 51.3 per cent at different depths of all the profiles. The volume of micropores was higher and macropores was lower. Macropores, mesopores and micropores ranged between 0.7 and 24.6 per cent, 3.9 and 12.2 per cent and 63.7 and 92.5 per cent in all the soil profiles. Total Available Water (TAW) in all the profiles ranged from14.7 to 26.4 per cent. There was a d e finite trend in the variation of hydraulic conductivity values with increasing depth of the profile of different soil series. The slope of Kulaura series was very steep than the other two series. These three series were considered Class IV, that had one or more serious limitation and three or more very serious limitations for rubber plantations. It is clear that the physical properties of the soils of Madhupur and Karnajhora Rubber Estate were not in a condition suitable for rubber plantation.

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