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Impact of Plowing on Soil Moisture Conservation in Rice Field

H. R. Molla
Irrigation and Water Management Division Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Gazipur

M. A. Sattar
Irrigation and Water Management Division Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Gazipur

M. S. U. Talukder
Department of Irrigation and Water Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) farm, Gazipur in Bora season 1996-97 with a view to quantify and compare the moisture content under pre-plowed and normal land preparation practices. Texturally, the soil found to be clay loam up to a depth of 45 cm from the ground surface. Average bulk density up to 45 cm soil depth was 1.50/cc. Bulk density gradually increased with depth up to 45 cm. Soil moisture content was about 24% at the time of T. Aman harvest in both pre-plowed and normal land preparation plots. Two months later it was found that the soil moisture was about 28% higher in pre-plowed land preparation practice than that of normal land preparation practice. Sixty two percent soil moisture was conserved in the top layer under pre-plowed land preparation practice due to the effect of plowing he sol after T. Aman rice harvest.

Keywords: Land preparation, T. Aman rice, Moisture conservation

Location: Gazipur

Start Date: 12-07-1997

End Date: 20-12-1997

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Rice

Objectives:

To quantify and compare the moisture content under pre-plowed and normal land preparation practices.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications of two soil management practices for land preparation. The plot size was 11 m x 8 m. In one practice, the land was kept fallow after T. Aman harvest and four plows were applied for land preparation at the time of Boro rice cultivation, is called the normal land preparation practice (L1) which is normally practiced by the farmers. In the other practice, the land was opened by the application of two plows after T. Aman rice harvest and two plows were applied for land preparation at the time of Boro rice cultivation is called pre-plowed land preparation practice (L2 ) Among all the properties, soil texture, bulk density and soil moisture content were determined. Soil samples were collected from all three replicated plots of normal land preparation (L1 ) and pre-plowed land preparation (L2 ) practices. The samples were collected from 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm soil depths to determine moisture, texture and bulk density of the study soil. For each soil depth, samples were collected from three replicated plots of each practice to make a composition sample for textural analysis. Hydrometer method was used for mechanical analysis and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) soil textural classification triangular chart was used to determine soil textural class. Bulk Density: The usual method of determining bulk density or apparent specific gravity of a soil is to obtain an uncompared soil of known volume. Core samplers were used to take undisturbed soil samples, The cylinders of the core sampler, which have cutting edge, were driven into the soil of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm depths of two practices. The samples were carefully trimmed at both ends of the core cylinders. The samples were dried in an oven at 105 °C for 24 hours until all the moisture were driven off and the samples weighed again. The volume of the soil cores were the same as the inside volume of the core cylinders.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Sci. 27(2): 287-291, July, 2000

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Overall percentage of sand (41.57-43.37) was higher than silt (28.97-31.30) and clay (27.3-28.00). Average proportion of sand, sand clay and the study soil were about 43, 30 and 27%. The textural classes of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm soil layers were clay loam and hence overall textural class up to 45 cm soil depth was clay loam.Soil moisture content of the layer (0-15 cm) was higher than the second (15-30 cm) and third (30-45) soil layers after the harvest of T. Aman rice. Moisture content of the second and third layers of L2 practice showed almost similar values about two months later at the time of land preparation. Soil moisture of the top layer reduced by 27% in L2. But top layer soil moisture content of L1 reduced by 55%. On the other hand, soil moisture conserved 62% in the top layer under L2 practice. Similarly, 16 and 13% moisture were conserved in the second and third layers, respectively. Therefore, plowing of lands after T. Aman rice harvest helped to conserve soil moisture in all the sampled layers. But maximum conservation was observed in the topsoil layer

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