Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Soil Health Degradation Under Different Land Use Systems and Its Management in Selected Hilly Areas of Bangladesh

ATM Emdad Hossain
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Aminul Islam
Department of Soil, Water and Environment University, of Dhaka, Bangladesh-1000.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The paper deals with different land use and management systems at the selected areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh during 1999 to 2005. The land uses were mono-culture of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.Arg) and teak (Tectona grandis L) including‘Jhum’ (slashburn agriculture) ,The soils are categorized as Brown Hill Soil' Physico-chemical properties and microbial population were studied to assess the soil degradation status. Analytical results of soils showed that organic matter content, exchangeable bases and cation exchange capacity were higher in rubber than teak. To combat the soil degradation trials including mixed plantation and tree planting by auger method, Contour Trash Line (CTL)and Differentiated slope Agro-Forestry (DSA) technique by participatory approach in the Jhum cultivating areas were conducted. These showed promising results in crop production and Soil health improvement. The tree planting by Auger instead of traditional practice minimizes soil and nutrients loss and saves planting time without sacrificing survival percentage of the seedlings.

Keywords: Chittagong Hill Tracts, Land uses, Soil Health degradation, Land use systems, Management.

Location: Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-00-1999

End Date: 00-00-2005

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Land degradation

Objectives:

To determine of Soil Health Degradation under Different Land Use Systems and its Management in Selected Hilly Areas of Bangladesh

Methodology:

The study sites lie within 22°N Latitude and 92°122.822E Longitude. Slope of the hills varies from 40% to 70%.The sites enjoy sub tropical climate. Population density increased 29 to 96 person/km2 during 1961 to 2001. The 13 ethnic groups exist there in, i.e. Bangalee - 48%,Chakma- 25%,Marma- 15%,Tripura-6%,Mro-2%,Tanchanghya -2%,and others 2%. The selected mixed teak plantation site is located in a low hill (complex slope: 25- 30%) at Fhaitong, Lama of Bandarban district. The experiment was set up by Randomized Complete Block Design with farmer's participation. lt contains 3 replications and 5 treatments. The treatments are T₀=teak (control),T₁=teak+ mahogony,T₂= teak+ hybrid acacia,T₃= teak+ eucalyptus, T₄=teak+garjan. Each treatment consists of 81 seedlings in which 45 were teak and 36 of the above combinations. Line to line and species to species distance was 2m. Initial soil status (Texture, pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, bulk density, soil depth) have been assessed. Dutch Auger, a soil sample collecting tool was modified and used for tree seedling planting purpose in the steep slope.The technique was applied in the experimental sites. Generally big size pit digging in steep slope was difficult, increased soil displacement and involved labor cost. To dig a planting pit, the auger was twisted into soil surface until it reached the desired depth for setting the seedlings. Depth should correspond to the poly bag size of the seedling to be planted. The Farming system Research and Development site of Bandarban hill region is located 10-20 km from Bandarban District Head Quarter toward Southwest. On farm trials for Contour Trash Line (CTL) and Differentiated slope Agro forestry (DSA) method were conducted at Sualock and Raicha Union of that Bandarban by participatory approach to assess; their adaptability in the hill condition. Microorganisms play vital roles in soil for nutrients uptake, addition and also as soil binder. Fungal and bacterial count was assessed from three sites: Forest areas of Maglurchara gas ( CH₄) burnt areas, hilly areas of Akaura hill tract, sylhet; jhum cultivating area and Community reserve of Bandarban, Chittagong Hill-Tracts. Composite soil samples were collected from 10 ha. of rubber and teak, covering the soil depth of 0-15 cm. Soils were analyzed for cat ion exchange capacity, base saturation, organic matter content, bulk density in the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute's Laboratory. Soils were collected for bacteria and fungi count and to analyses soil properties. standard methods were followed for analysis. Fungal and bacterial count was assessed in the Microbiology Institute's Lab, of Dhaka University. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) media has been used for fungi culturing and nutrient agar (NA) media for bacteria.

Source of Information: J. Soil Biol. Ecol.31 (1&2) : 224-235,2011

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Results indicate that in the un-burnt area of the community reserve and fire free spots in the forests population of bacteria and fungi was higher than burnt sites. On the other hand in Jhum sites fungal population decreased due to repeated burning. In the natural gas (CH₄) burnt sites of Magur Chhara fungal population drastically decreased bur attained the higher number after several Years. At community reserve and in the control plot of forests bacterial population was almost similar, but the least fungal count was found shifting cultivation site. In Magurchhara natural gas burnt areas bacterial count was higher than jhum plot. After six years fungal and bacterial count increased. In community reserve and un-burnt site of Magur chara fungal count was similar but bacterial count was found higher than in jhum plots for community reserve. Generally in undisturbed sites, particularly in forest floor number of microorganisms is higher than disturbed sites.

Knowledge Management: Journal