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Effect of Arhar (cajanus Cajan) as a Mixed Crop on Soil Erosion Minimization in Zinger Cultivation in the Hills of Chittagong Hill Tracts (chts)

Md. Motiar Rahman
Assistant Soil Scientist
Soil Science Division Bangladesh Forest Research Institute Chittagong

Md. Jahangir Alam
Divisional Officer
Soil Science Division Bangladesh Forest Research Institute Chittagong

Md. Zahirul Alam
Assistant Soil Scientist
Soil Science Division Bangladesh Forest Research Institute Chittagong

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Soil Science Division of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) conducted an experiment on cultivation of arhar across the hill slope as an inter-crop introduced to minimize soil erosion. The research work was carried out in the sloping uplands of Wagga, Kaptai, Rangamati Hill District in relation to assess soil erosion status. Three soil depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-50 cm) were included to assess the soil status of the experimental plots. Analysis of the initial soil samples showed that the soil pH in 0-15 cm soil depth is slightly acidic ranging 5.1-5.4. Mean soil organic matter (SOM) content in 0-50 cm soil depth varies in the range of 1.46-3.12%. Estimation of soil and nutrients loss in the experimental site showed that from July 2010 to June 2013, the loss of soil from the traditional system (T₀) was 148.52 & 43.19 ton/ha/year compared to T₁ (129.45 & 34.92 ton/ha/year) and T₂ (91.74 & 24.18 ton/ha/year) at 35% slope gradient. Loss of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfure, calcium and magnesium content were higher in the traditional system than that of T₁and T₂.

Keywords: Arhar, Zinger, Soil erosion, Treatments, Soil nutrients

Location: Wagga, Kaptai, Rangamati Hill District

Start Date: 01-07-2009

End Date: 30-06-2013

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Land erosion, Ginger, Pulses

Objectives:

1.To quantify soil and nutrients loss in zinger cultivation in hilly area

2.To assess the effect of arhar planting in zinger fields in hill slope on soil conservation

Methodology:

The experiment was carried out in pre-monsoon of 2010 and set up in the hill slope conditions of Wagga, Kaptai, Rangamati Hill District. The hill elevation was low to medium and slope gradient was 28-40%. A participatory farmer willing to cultivate zinger in his plot was selected for carrying out the research activities. The experiment plots were designed by Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) and followed by the treatment T₀- traditional system, T₁- zinger and arhar cultivation along the slope and T₂- zinger and arhar cultivation across the slope. Each plot covers an area 5.0 decimal. In the lower part of each plot, 2 metallic drums (total 30 metallic drums) were set up for deposition of run-off water and sediments. The drums were equipped with metallic pipes for drainage of excess water. After ploughing of land in March, the rhizome of zinger and arhar seeds were sown at the end of the May, 2010. Growth of zinger and arhar was recorded periodically. As the sediments were deposited in the drums, the soil samples were collected to quantify the erosion loss. Soils and water samples were also collected for analysis of soil nutrients. Three soil depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-50 cm) were included to assess the soil status of the experimental plots.

Source of Information: Annual Research Progress 2012-2013, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget: 3,00,000.00

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

Achievement/Findings:

After the analysis of initial soil samples it was found that the pH of soil in 0-15 cm soil depth is slightly acidic in nature and ranging from 5.1 to 5.4. Mean soil organic matter and total nitrogen content in the 0-50 cm soil depth varies in the range of 1.46-3.12% and 0.16-0.28% respectively. Phosphorus (2.33 µg/g soil), sulfure (10.33 µg/g soil), potassium (0.30 meq/100g soil), calcium (1.45 meq/100g soil) and magnesium (1.01 meq/100g soil) content were higher in the surface soil (0-15 cm) than lower soil stratum (2.1 µg/g soil, 9.67 µg/g soil, 0.29 meq/100g soil, 1.38 meq/100g soil and 0.98 meq/100g soil respectively). Soil loss data were collected during 2010-11 to 2011-12 and found that the soil loss from the traditional system (T₀) was 148.52 & 43.19 ton/ha/year compared to T₁(129.45 & 34.92 ton/ha/year) and T₂ (91.74 & 24.18 ton/ha/year) at 35% slope gradient. Loss of soil organic matter in T₀ was 4.0 & 1.6 ton/ha/year compared to the T₁(2.6 & 1.1 ton/ha/year) and T₂ (2.5 & 0.9 ton/ha/year) respectively.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings