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Land Capability Evaluation for Oilpalm Cultivation in Bangladesh

M. M. Hasan
Director (Retd.)
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Madhupur Tract area has a less favorable climatic condition for growing Oilpalm than the northern and eastern hilly areas. Only well to imperfectly drained soils of the Madhupur Tract and of the Tertiarry Hills have been found to be suitable to very suitable for growing Oilpalm. Frequent flooding on Grey Terrace Soils and on Grey Piedmont Soils have been considered as a serious limitation for this crop. Occasionally flooded Grey Terrace Soils, Grey Piedmont Soils and the steeply sloping (>30%) Brown Hill Soils have been rated as marginally suitable for this crop.

Keywords: Land capability, Madhupur Tract,Soil characteristics,Oilpalm cultivation

Location: Madhupur Tract

Start Date: 01-07-1978

End Date: 30-06-1980

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Palm oil

Objectives:

1.To assess the eco-climatological conditions in interpreting the soil properties

2.To evaluate for oilpalm cultivation based on soil characteristics

Methodology:

The methodology suggested by Sys (1978) for suitability classification is in agreement with the FAO's framework for land evaluation which defines three levels of organization, viz., orders, classes and subclasses. The orders are defined as suitable (S) and non-suitable (N); the classes are defined with regard to the number and intensity of the limitations or main kind of improvement measures required. The evaluation is carried out in a relative limitation scale but supplemented by a parametric approach to obtain the soil indices. The classification involves the following:

Characterization of the land units in pedological terms and of the climatic characteristics
Definition of the evaluation criteria
Evaluation of the land units according to the agro-ecological characteristics

Suitability classification of the land units is based on the definition of orders and classes according to the number and intensity of the limitations. These limitations relate to a specific value of land index calculated from individual ratings of land characteristics according to the following general formula:

Rating index = A. B/100. C/100

where A, B and C relate to the rating parameters for various pedological characteristics of the land units.

Source of Information: Bano Biggyan Patrika (a journal of forest science),January and July, 1982, Vol.11: 1 & 2

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget: 3,00,000.00

Total Budget (Tk.) : 3,00,000.00

Achievement/Findings:

Suitability parameters for the cultivation of Oilpalm on several general soil types occurring in the Madhupur Tract (High Terraces ) and the Tertiary Hills. Well to imperfectly drained upland soils of the Madhupur Tract and of the Tertiary Hills have been considered for this purpose. Oilpalm though considered as an exacting crop can be grown profitably under a wide diversity of soil variations. No serious hindrance is apprehended for Oilpalm cultivation on the non-flooded soils. Distribution of Oilpalm as summarized by Schad (1914) and Zeven (1967) shows that the natural Oilpalm habitat occurs at the 10-11 degree parallels. Bangladesh lying away from this zone requires careful field trials for confirmation that the crop will give a sustained good growth and high yield under the climatic conditions before going for raising commercial plantations.

Knowledge Management: Journal