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Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Kustia District

S.M. Saheed
Deputy Director (Field)
SRDI, Dhaka. Formerly Department of Soil Survey, Dhaka.

K. M. Idris
Research Officer
SRDI, Dhaka. Formerly Department of Soil Survey, Dhaka.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Kushtia district covers 1,371 square miles. Annual rainfall is 57 inches in 1961. Soils, occupying mainly level to very gently undulating land, are developed in recent and sub-recent Ganges alluvial sediments, included active (9%), very young (3%), young (3%), old (18%) and mixed young and old Ganges meander floodplain (27%). Olive to brown, mainly loamy soils occur on ridges and dark brown clay soils in basins. Soils on active, very young and young floodplains are calcareous, while on old floodplain they are usually decalcified 1-4 feet deep from surface. About 57% of area is subject to seasonal flooding: shallowly (38%), moderately deeply (16%), deeply flooded (3%), rivers and bills (2%) and above normal flood level or very shallow flooding (41%). Most soils become droughty in dry season. Triple cropped land is 4%, double cropped 53% and single cropped 20%. Perennial crops occupy 8%, grasses and barren land 5%, homestead 8% and rivers and bills 2%. Agricultural land were classified into good (51%), moderate (31%), poor (4%), very poor (4%), homestead and water (10%). The suitability of different soils for various kinds of crops is shown in a crop suitability map. There is a considerable potential for increased agricultural production.

Keywords: Kushtia district, Soils, Flooding, Cropped land, Crop suitability

Location: Kustia, Meherpur and Chuadanga Districts, Bangladesh

Start Date: 08-02-1969

End Date: 30-12-1973

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Land management

Objectives:

1. To identify, classify and describe the major kinds of soils occurring in the survey area;

2. To prepare maps showing the distribution of these soils; and

3. To evaluate the properties of soils in terms of potentiality for improved use.

Methodology:

The basis of survey was air-photo interpretation supported by a planned program of field observations and laboratory analyses of representative soil samples that were collected. Air-photos used were of approximate scale of 1:40,000 and 1:50,000 taken respectively in the dry seasons of 1952, 1957 and 1963. Airphoto contact prints covering Meherpur, Gangni and part of Daulatpur thanas were not available; therefore, for soil survey of those areas, either aerial photomosaics or topographic maps of 1:63,360 scale were used. In general, field methods and descriptive terms used have been those given in the USDA Soil Survey Manual (1951, 1962). Where local conditions have required modifications to be made in these, the modifications have been described in the appropriate part of this report. A land capability classification specially adapted to the Bangladesh environment was used. A network of traverses was laid down so as to examine the major landscape units differentiated by study of the air-photos. Soils were examined as often as necessary along these traverses. The traverse and sampling intensity varied considerably from place to place according to the complexity of the soils and soil patterns, and supplementary traverses were made wherever considered necessary. Generally, traverses were made at intervals from 2-5 miles, and observations along the traverses made at intervals of from a few yards to approximately half a mile. Profiles were described from small pits dug along each traverse, supplemented by spot identifications from auger holes. Soil samples for correlation and laboratory analysis were taken from each soil series recognized. In the case of major soils, several profiles were sampled. In general, routine traverse examinations were made to a depth of about 4 feet, but occasional borings were made to a depth of about 7 feet or more. Traverses were mainly examined on foot.

Source of Information: Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Kushtia District 1970, published in 1973, under the authority of Dr. Munirul Huq, Director, Department of Soil Survey, Dhaka, reprint in 2008, Soil Resource Development Institute, Dhaka

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Indeed Reconnaissance Soil Survey (RSS) is the first soil and land resource pool of the country. Besides SRDI, so far all kinds of soil and land resource maps and information reproduced from different institutions are based on the information included in RSS. The worth of data and information gathered from grass root level and compiled in the RSS report still deserves appropriate maintenance for future backup. The report is primarily intended for use by those responsible for economic and agricultural development planning at the national, regional and district levels. It provides information on which policy decisions might be based regarding agricultural development by such means as irrigation, flood protection, drainage, use of fertilizers and introduction of alternative crops or methods of husbandry. For soil and agronomic specialists, it indicates the different soil conditions which might require separate trials and also the area over which the results of such trials might confidently be expected to apply. The report is provided with soil association, land use, land capability and physiographic maps. The agricultural development possibilities by land capability subclasses are given in this report. The relative suitability of each soil for a number of common crops has been evaluated and tabulated.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings