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Environmental and Fertility Characteristics of Soils of Thakurgaon Upazila Under Old Himalayan Piedmont Plain

Md. Moqbul Hossain
Soil Resource Development Institute, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh.

M. J. Uddin
Soil Resource Development Institute, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh.

K. A. Sultana
Loreto, House No.8, Road No.9, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An attempt was made to study the environmental and fertility characteristics of the soils of Thakurgaon Upazila of Bangladesh. Agro-ecologically this region is more suitable for winter crops like wheat, potato and pulses. But the area has scarcity of surface water for irrigation. Excess irrigation with ground water may cause unfavourable ecosystem interactions by lowering ground water table. Aeration capacity of silty clay loam soils is below satisfactory level for the growth of dryland crops and that of sandy loam and silt loam is satisfactory. Most of the soils are acidic to slightly acidic in reactions. Nitrogen content is below critical level in all the soils of the area. Zinc content is low in all soils except in Jagdhal and Nandigram. Ca, Mg, P, K contents range from low to high where B and Cu range from medium to high. Fe and Mn content is also medium to high except in kaunia soil and sulphur content varies from low to medium.

Keywords: Fertility characteristics, Environmental characteristics, Soil, Old Himalayan piedmont plain

Location: Panchagarh and Dinajpur districts, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Soil fertility

Objectives:

To study the environmental and fertility characteristics of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila, using all these data and field survey for sustainable land use planning.

Methodology:

The study area is situated in the north-western region of the country, lying between 25°54' and 26°12' north latitudes and 88°18' and 88°39' east longitudes. The area is bounded to the south by Peerganj and Ranisankail upazilas, to the east by Debiganj and Boda upazilas of Panchagarh district and Beerganj upazila of Dinajpur district, to the north by Atwari upazila of Panchagarh district and to the west by Baliadangi upazila. Aerial photos at 1 :30,000 scale were interpreted using mirror stereoscope to make an interpretative soil map followed by field soil survey. Soil, land type, landuse, drainage, depth of inundation data were collected from aerial photo-interpretation, field survey and interviewing farmers in the study area. RSS data of SRDI, Directorate of Land Records and Survey (DLRS) maps at 1: 63,360 scale and topographic map at 1: 50,000 scales were also used as base materials. Maps of Agro-climatic zones of the study area were prepared digitally using GIS software ARCINFO from Agro- Ecological Regions map of Bangladesh prepared by FAOIUNDP (1988). Thirteen soil groups were identified during soil survey. 114 composite soil samples from these 13 soil groups of the area were collected and were analyzed for pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc. The soil groups include Ranisankail, Pirgachha, Jamun, Srirampur, Baliadangi, Atwari, Jagdhal, Kalmia, Lashkara, Ruhia, Charol, Nandigram and Tista Silt. The extraction procedure and interpretation of soil samples were made as per Agro- Services International Methodology prescribed by Hunter (1984). Physical properties studied in the field followed standard laboratory methodology as prescribed by FAG (1977).

Source of Information: Journal of Remote Sensing and Environment, 1999, Vol. 3; ISSN 1560-201X

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is of course very important to grow more food to feed the growing population. Therefore maximum and efficient utilization of limited land resources to get best production is a must. As there is nutrient deficiency and shortage of soil moisture it need to apply fertilizer and irrigation for this purpose. To protect crops from insects it need to apply insecticides. But continuous use of chemical fertilizer, insecticides and excessive use of groundwater for irrigation may cause a lot of problems such as physical and chemical degradation of land resources and ecosystem imbalance. Integrated approach rather than sectoral approach to the planning of land resources should be followed to avoid such degradation.

Knowledge Management: Journal