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Soil Salinity and Prospect of Crop Production in the Coastal Region of Bangladesh

M. M. Husain
PSO
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Regional Station, Sonagazi, Feni.

M. H. K. Khandker
PSO
Agric. Engg. Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Farmgate, Dhaka-12l5.

A. F. M. M. Hoque
SO
Soil Resources Development Institute, Noakhali.

A. Saha
SSO
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Regional Station, Sonagazi, Feni.

M. A. Zami
SSO
WMM Division, BRRI, Gazipur.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Soil salinity is a serious constraint to crop production in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Monitoring of salinity in several coastal districts during 1996 and 1997 has shown that soil salinity is basically a seasonal problem which varies remarkably with sites and seasons of the year. Rainfall has a strong relationship with soil salinity forming hyperbola. Salinity level. is high and restricts crop production during the late Rabi and early Kharif-I seasons. During the monsoon, it remains low, between 1-5 dS/m. During this time, HYV-rice can be grown without significant yield loss. There is evidence of potential growth and yields of HYV rice even in Kharif-I (aus) under low to moderate saline soil condition Cup to 8 dS/m). HYV mustard, wheat and barley are very promising crops for Rabi season under salinity condition having electrical conductance of 8-12 dS/m. On -farm experiments may be conducted to examine their adaptability in the coastal areas. This paper has reported the soil salinity levels of several coastal areas of Bangladesh and over viewed the potential adaptability of several rice and non-rice crops under moderate saline soil conditions. Prospects of salt tolerant crop species and their places in the cropping systems of the coastal area have been highlighted.

Keywords: Soil salinity, Crop production, Prospect, Coastal region.

Location: Shudhuram (Noakhali) and Sonagazi (Feni)

Start Date: 00-00-1996

End Date: 00-00-1997

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Soil salinity

Objectives:

(i) identify the constraints to improved productivity in the coastal areas; (ii) quantify soil salinity in different sites and seasons in south east coastal regions; (iii) discuss the factors which directly influence the soil salinity levels and limit crop production; (iv) identify modern and indigenous technologies appropriate for the saline soils; and (v) highlight the prospects of future agricultural development.

Methodology:

Soil salinity was measured monthly in the top 0-15 cm soils obtained from prefixed monitoring sites in Shudhuram (Noakhali) and Sonagazi (Feni) through out the year. Soil samples were dried and grinded and electrical conductance in soil solution was measured using conductivity bridge (model-EIJKELKAMP pH/EC 18.38). A petridish experiment was conducted to observe the germination percentage of some HYV-aus rice varieties under varying intensities of saline water. In this experiment, artificial salinity was created by adding table salt in demineralised water. Three rice varieties and 6 salinity levels were laid out in a factorial RCB design with 3 replications. Germination was observed several times. A field experiment was conducted to study the adaptability of 5 mustard cultivars under 2 irrigation levels in a factorial RCB design with 3 replications. Soil salinity in the trial approached to 6 dS/m at the reproductive stage. In other field experiments, 34 genotypes of barley and 20 genotypes of wheat were tested for adaptability and yield performance under high level of salinity at the BRRI regional station farm at Sonagazi, Feni. The experiments were replicated 6 times. Soil samples for measuring E. C. were collected from each replication.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Agriculture, Vol: 24 (1), PP: 27-40, 1999, ISSN: 0253-5408

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Soil salinity in the coastal region of Bangladesh is a seasonal problem which normally remains between 4-10 dS/m E.C. and limits crop production during the months of January to May. Salinity is closely associated with monsoon rainfall forming a hyperbolic relationship. During the Kharif-I season (aus), HYV rice - cultivars BR24 and BRRI dhan27 can be grown following line sowing or dibling methods in areas where salinity remains below 8 dS/m E.C. at the time of seeding (mid March to early April). These varieties would give two to three times more yield than the low yielding traditional cultivars like Binnatoa. During the rabi season when soil salinity is moderate, between 4-10 dS/m E.C., during the time of sowing to maturity, HYV mustard - cultivars Binasharsa 3, Binasharsa 4, Safal, Agrani and Doulat may be grown successfully to obtain yields of 1.5 -2.0 t/ha under rainfed condition. Under conditions where soil salinity during January to March remain between 5-12 dS/m E. C. wheat and barley can be grown to harvest grain yields of about 2.0 t/ha if the thermal regime is favorable. Thus, cropping intensity in the coastal areas could be increased to 300% which is presently only 60-114%. On-farm research and extension programme may be undertaken to disseminate the above technologies and improve agricultural productivity in the salt affected coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal