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Effect of Growing Legumes on Soil Fertility for Rubber Plants

Shamsuddin
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chlttagong.

S. A. Ahad
Department of Soil Science, Uniuerslty of Dhaka. Dhaka I000, Bangladesh.

K. Anam
Department of Soil Science, Uniuerslty of Dhaka. Dhaka I000, Bangladesh.

S. M. Imamul Huq
Department of Soil Science, Uniuerslty of Dhaka. Dhaka I000, Bangladesh.

M. D. Alam
Department of Soil Science, Uniuerslty of Dhaka. Dhaka I000, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Inter-cropping of soybean (Glycine max L.) and bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were practisted with deep rooted rubber plants and its effect on soil fertility status for rubber plants was studied pH of soils was moderately lowered, the moisture status, contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium. magnesium, Iron, the C:N ratio, CEC and available nitrogen in soils Increased while available magnesium and sulphur contents decreased or showed little change after cultivation. Significant correlation was obtained between total nitrogen and organic matter contents of the soils and cultivation of the legumes. Inter-cropping In rubber plantation with soybean made soil nutrients more available than doing it with bush bean.

Keywords: Legumes, Soil fertility, Rubber plants.

Location: Sylhet district, Bangladesh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Rubber wood

Objectives:

To determine the Effect of Growing Legumes on Soil Fertility for Rubber Plants

Methodology:

Seeds of soybean (G. max L.) and bush bean (P. vulgaris L.) were sown in between the fallow space of the rubber trees. lntercropping sues were selected in the recently managed immature rubber garden situated in Shahziba1..ar (Sylhet) area. The area consisted of hills with steep as well as slightly undulated and eroded slopes and flat valleys having good irrigation facilities. The intercropping was done on all of these land variations : The outward general condition of the garcle.n was reasonably good. Surface soils were more friable than sub-surface soils. Short sungrass and other small hilly weeds covered the garden area as cover crops but did not cause any obstacle to the growth of the plant at the new plantation. Four experimental plots (106 x 76 cm sizes. two for each of the crops) were set up for soybean and bush bean cultivation between the fallow spaces of the rubber plantation rows. Spade and other indigenous equipments were used for harrowing crushing and leveling of the land. Soils of the plots were slightly moist and prior to sowing it was allowed to dry in the sun for 12 hours. Soybean seeds were procured from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and bush beans were procured from local market. The row to row and plant to plant spacings were 15 cm . The pop.llation density was 4,37,500 plants ha-¹. Twenty four soil samples (3 from each plot) before and after harvesting were collected randomly at a depth of 0-38 cm from the four experimental plots. Soil samples were air dried ground and screened through a 2 mm sieve. Physical and chemical analyses were carried out in the laboratory. Particle size analysis was done by hydrometer method and the texture was determined by the USDA method. Maximum water holding capacity was determined following the method and the field capacity by the method. Soil pH was determined electro-chemically using a Coming glass electrode pH meter at a soil : water ratio of 1:2.5. Organic matter content was calculated from the organic carbon content determined by wet-oxidation method and the total nitrogen was determined by alkali distillation from the micro-kjeldahl digest. Phosphorus was determined colorimetrically and potassium by name photometry. Calcium and Magnesium was determined by EDTA titration. Total iron was determined calorimetrically with orthophenanthroline, water soluble sulphate by the turbidity method using BaC1₂ and water soluble carbonate and bi-carbonate volumetrically using 0.05 M H₂S0₄ in presence of phenolphthalein and methyl orange Indicator respectively .

Source of Information: Dhaka Univ. J. Bioi. Sd. 2(l) : 41-46, 1993 (January)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Simple correlation coefficients between nitrogen content of soil and the corresponding organic matter content before and after cultivation of soybean are presented. The line between N and organic matter before and after soybean cultivation indicates that all the observed values are with in close proximity of the regression line for the soils before soybean cultivation while those after cultivation bear a weak relationship. The weaker relationship may be attributed to loss of N by leaching due to rainfall. microbial activity and combatively greater competition for the element by weeds. For bush bean. there was a poor 'relationship between the total N and the organic matter content before cultivation while the correlation improved after cultivation. Improvement in both physical and chemical characters of the soils due to lnter-cropping of legumes in rubber garden is definite to lessen fertilizer requirement and its management and help in maintaining a sustainable forest culture.

Knowledge Management: Journal