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Soil Erosion Management on Yield Performance of Selected Hedge Species at Different Hill Slopes in Chittagong Hill Tract

Md. Razib Rahman
E-mail: rahman.razib_pt@yahoo.com Soil Resource Development Institute, Farmgate, Dhaka, Bangladrsh

Md. Babul Hossain
Soil Resource Development Institute, Farmgate, Dhaka, Bangladrsh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was concluded at Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh to identify different hedge species and assess alley width in controlling soil erosion and the effect of different hedge species and their alley. Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is the largest hilly area located in the southeast of Bangladesh. Alley cropping or hedgerow cultivation is very helpful in controlling soil erosion in the hilly area. In order to perform cataloguing the hedges and their alley were use selected such as indigofera, Bogamedula, Pineapple and Napier. Three different slopes are gentle slope, moderate slope and steeps slope. Two different crops like yard long bean, ladies finger were used as test crops. The different alley widths under each hedge species was 5m, 4m and 3m. Each plots containing 3 lines of hedge. The experiment lay out in split plot design with three replications. Soil erosion was measured through spike lay out method. Fertilizers applied based on soil test value. Collected data were statistically analyzed following MSTAT program. Difference of total plants in each plots (controlled and managed by hedge) are directly influenced by alley width. Wider alley width gives a better performance of yield. Species of hedge plants have a great effect on plant growth and crop yield. Hedge plant of low height (pineapple) provides a better performance than that of higher height hedge plant because it provides intensive light and better root binding. But higher height hedge plant provides more bio-mass than lower height hedge plants. Grass species (Napier) responses better than tree/shrub species (Bogamedula and Indegofera) on crops yield. Performance of pineapple among all other hedge species on crop yield and soil loss minimizing capacity was recorded the best on all slope gradients and alley width. Hedge always plays a vital role on plant growth, crops productivity, fruit length and weight as well as minimizing of soil erosion. More yields were gained from the managed plots by hedge, though the number of total plant was comparatively less in those plots than the controlled one. Due to addition of bio-mass and comparatively less soil erosion for hedge plants, nutrient status of soil is maintained for better productivity. Slope Gradients have a most important role on crops yield and soil erosion factor. The highest yields and the lowest soil loss were recorded in gentle slope than those of moderate and steep slope respectively. Crops yield were significantly reduced with the increase of slope gradients.

Keywords: Soil Erosion, indigofera, Bogamedula, Pineapple and Napier.

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity:

Objectives:

I. To identify different hedge species and assess alley width in controlling soil erosion.

II. To estimate soil loss under different hedge species and alley width at different slope.

III. To examine the effect of different hedge species and their alley width on crop yield at different slopes.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the Soil Conservation and Water Management Centre, SRDI- under Bandar ban Hill District during 2013 to 2014. Four different hedge species were arranged and three different alley widths under each hedge species distributed at different slopes, respectively. 3 different slopes such as gentle slope (about 12% slope) (S1), moderate slope (about 25% slope) (S2) and steep slope (about 35% slope) (S3) and 4 different Hedge species such as Ananas comosus (Pineapple=H1), Bogamedula spp (Bogamedula=H2), Pennibetum Purpureum (Napier=H3),Indigofera sanatrana (Indigofera =H4) and Control (H5). The different alley widths under each hedge species will be 3.0 m, 4 m and 5 m. Each plots containing 3 lines of hedge. The experiment lay out in Split Plot design with 3 (three) replications. The treatments randomly allot in each block. The dimensions of each plot of 5.0 m alley spacing are 11.0 m x 4.0 m (44.0 m2) and every plot of 4.0 m alley spacing is (9.0 m x 4.0 m (36.0 m²) for all slope gradients. On the other hand the dimension of each plot of 3.0 m alley spacing is 4.0 m x 7.0 m (28.0 m²) for all slope classes. The upper & lower line of hedge is established at a distance of 0.50 m from upper & lower plot boundary maintaining contour. Another line is situated at the middle of the plot across the slope. 2 different crops like ladies finger, yard long bean were used as test crops. The seeds of test crops were dibbled from a distance of 0.25 m from the upper & lower plot boundary. Different row to row and plant to plant distances maintained in respect of different crops. For Okra plant to plant distance is 0.50 m & row to row distance is 0.75m. On the other hand plant to plant & row to row distance for yard long bean is 0.60 m and 1.0 m respectively on all slope gradients. Hedge lines established maintaining in contour lines. Different hedge species dibbled in different slope in late May – July 2011. Plots have been prepared manually. The seeds were dibbled in rows by dibbling method. Fertilizers were applied based on soil test value. Other management practices and different preventive measures have been taken as and when needed. Soil erosion was measured through Spike layout method. In every plot, six spikes were inserted; three were near upper side (top of the plot) and another three were near the lower end hedge line of the plots. Ten plants were randomly selected from each plot for collecting data. Data on different attributes of different crops like fruit/plant, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), fruit weight (gm) and fresh yield for ladies finger, and plant height (cm), Pod/plant, Pod length (cm), pod diameter (cm), seed/pod for Yard long bean were recorded timely by following standard procedures. Meteorological information’s was collected from meteorological station in the research area. Biomass of different hedges was determined. A simple economic analysis of each component analyzed. Collected data were statistically analyzed following MSTAT program. Analysis of variance for crop characters and soil loss were done following the F-test. Mean comparisons of the treatments were done following Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT).

Source of Information: BANGLADESH RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS JOURNAL, ISSN: 1998-2003, Volume: 11, Issue: 1, Page: 28-33, March - April, 2015

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Hedge always plays a vital role on plant growth, crops productivity, fruit length & weight as well as minimizing of soil erosion. More yields were gained from the managed plots by hedge, though the number of total plant was comparatively less in those plots than the controlled one. Due to addition of bio-mass & comparatively less soil erosion for hedge plants, nutrient status of soil is maintained for better productivity. Slope Gradients have a most important role on crops yield and soil erosion factor. The highest yields and the lowest soil loss were recorded in gentle slope than those of moderate & steep slope respectively. Crops yield were significantly reduced with the increment of slope gradients.

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