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Erosion Rate and Conservation Techniques of Soils Under Rain-fed Agriculture

Ayesha Akter
Department of Emergency Management, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali

Ahmed Parvez
Department of Environmental Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali

M. A. Sattar
Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of rainfall on erosion and conservation of soils under different agricultural practices. The experiment was carried out during monsoon season (June-September) of 2006. The experiment was conducted with 12 treatments in twelve plots. The result recorded the rainfall of June, July, August and September in 2006, respectively, as 335.5 mm, 306.5 mm, 365.8 mm and 411.4 mm. The maximum eroded soil loss was obtained from bare plot with high tillage T₃ (7.8 t/ha) and that of minimum was observed in grass and water hyacinth mulched (1.5 t/ha) treatment T₁₂ through out months of experimentation. The rate of erosion of the soil was found to markedly control by the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The erosion of the soil also correspondingly altered the physico-chemical properties of the soil. The sand, silt and clay content eroded about 34%, 3% and 16%, respectively. The organic matter content of the initial, eroded and field soil was, respectively, ranging from 1.1% to 1.8%, 1.2% to 1.9% and 1.0% to 1.7%, which indicates the striking loss of organic matter. The pH value and NPKS are high recorded in the eroded soil collection. It was reveled that erosion of soil depleted the nutrient of the field soil. Topsoil conservation is proved to be important for maintaining soil nutrient status by proper agricultural practices and mulching proved to be the potent technique in conserving soil nutrient loss by erosion mostly triggered by rain splash.

Keywords: Soil nutrient, Erosion, Conservation, Rain-fed agriculture

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural University Farm, under the Department of Environmental Science

Start Date: 00-06-2006

End Date: 00-10-2006

Program Area: Resource Development and Management

Commodity: Land erosion

Objectives:

1. To quantify the amount of soil loss as affected by the selected agricultural practices, efficacy of different conservation techniques and the relation between soil erosion and physical and chemical properties of the soils.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the Bangladesh Agricultural University Farm, under the Department of Environmental Science, during June to October 2006. The land was first opened on 7th May, 2006 by repeated spading, laddering and leveling. Weeds, stubbles, and crop residues were removed from the land. Each plot was separated by ails to avoid the amalgamation of eroded soil. The experiment was conducted with 12 treatments, namely T₁=Bare plot. T₂=Bare plot applying cow dung. T₃=Bare plot with high number of tillage operation. T₄=Planting dhaincha with high number of tillage operation.T₅=Rice grown in line sowing T₆=Rice grown in broadcasting T₇=Grass coverage T₈=Cultivation of mungbeen with tillage operation T₉=Cultivation of Jute with tillage operation. T₁₀=Mulching with dry grasses T₁₁=Mulching with rice straw T₁₂=Mulching with mixture of grass and water hyacinth. Every plot was under the open sky, thus subjected to with homogenous effect of rain. The unit plot size was 2.25m x 1m. The blocks were separated by the drains of 100cm. The selected crops were dhaincha, rice, mungbeen, and jute , planted in each of the plots separately. Mulching was done by the straw, grass and grass with water hyacinth. Some plots were covered by long grass as well. Intercultural operations were done properly according to the needs of the crop. Weeding was done in each plot. Thinning was done in case of jute. A bamboo hedge was made to protect the plot from damage. Two scales (sticks) were setup at both sides in each plot. Primarily it was setup in zero level. A big tin container was set up in the end of the plot with a 2 inches cylindrical plastic pipe to catch the runoff soil in the container. Data of soil loss were collected from the plot in every week and then made average. The data on rainfall and temperature were collected from the weather yard, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Sand, silt and clay percentage determination was carried out by popular hydrometer method. And soil chemical and nutrient analysis was carried out by different techniques and methods such as glass-electrode pH meter. Soil salinity was determined by the help of conductivity meter, the percent of organic carbon was determined by wet-oxidation method. Recorded data were statistically analyzed using correlation techniques and mean differences and standard deviation.

Source of Information: J. Agrofor. Environ. 5 (2): 85-88, 2011; ISSN 1995-6983

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Bangladesh being a tropical country enjoys the monsoon climate of heavy rainfall. Rainfall is unique governing factor of the crop production of Bangladesh. A lot of crops are gown on rainfed condition during monsoon (June to September) season. But this valuable rainfall has a great impact on massive amount of soil loss other than wind and different cultural practices unless it is not conserved. Topsoil is a major factor for incremental and successful crop cultivation. The major portion of soil nutrient is available for the plant contented in the top soil. To save the soil and maintaining the productivity of the soil, topsoil conservation is very important for sustainable agriculture. Mulching is the best technique to save soil loss form erosion and safe guard soil organic matter content. Finally it is concluded that rainfall has a vital role on soil erosion and mulching has a major role to soil conservation.

Knowledge Management: Journal