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Effect of Betel-leaf Cultivation by Khasia Community on Physio-chemical Properties of Soil in Moulvibazar Hill Forests of Bangladesh

Dr. Rafiqul Haider
Divisional Officer
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute

Abul Khair
Professor
Department of Botany, jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka

M.Mahfuzur Rahman
Professor
Department of Botany, jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka

Motiar Rahman
Research Officer
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was carried out in natural forest and Panjhum of Moulvibazar district of Sylhet Forest Division during 2010. The objective of the study was to see whether betel-leaf cultivation and management practices by the Khasia community have any effect on soil properties of the forest ecosystem. Soil color and texture were almost similar, with minimal variation in both natural forests and Panjhum. Soil moisture contents were found higher in natural forests than Panjhum irrespective of sites and depths. Significant differences were found in bulk density between the forest categories. Soil pH was acidic in nature irrespective of sites and forest categories and it was increased from surface to bottom. Organic matter contents were high in natural forests than Panjhum and were always higher in surface soil followed by gradual decline in deeper soils. The findings reveals that management practices of betel-leaf cultivation practices by the Khasia community influence the total nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus contents and cation exchange capacity of soil. However, considering all major physical and chemical attributes, it was finally revealed that betel-leaf cultivation affects the soil properties, but the effects are not prominent in respect to the forest categories.

Keywords: Khasia, Betel-leaf, Cultivation, Soil properties, Moulvibazar

Location: Moulvibazar, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-01-2010

End Date: 00-12-2010

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Land degradation

Objectives:

a) The objective of the study was to see whether betel-leaf cultivation and management practices by the Khasia community have any effect on soil properties of the forest ecosystem.

Methodology:

The Khasia community lives and practices tree based betel-leaf farming mostly in Moulvibazar district. Three sites are selected) purposively for the study and the sites are-(site 1) Lawachara, (site 2) Adampur (Kalengi) and (site 3) Gobindpur (Patrakhola). Soils were collected from each of the three sites both in betel-leaf farm (Panjhum) and natural forest during March-April, 2010 through composite soil sampling method to determine the effect of betel-leaf cultivation on soil characteristics. A total 72 soil samples were collected from three profiles in each part at a depth of 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-50 cm. Soil color was evaluated in the field following the Munsell Color Chat. Collected soil samples were carried in separate labeled plastic bags to the laboratory for subsequent analysis. The physio-chemical properties of soil were analyzed in the soil laboratory of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong and Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI), Dhaka. Soil samples were analyzed for bulk density, soil texture, moisture content, pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus, available potassium and cation exchange capacities (CEC) following standard methods. Soil bulk density was determined by core method. The amount of water present in soil was determined by gravimetric oven drying method. Soil texture was determined by hydrometer method. The texture class was determined from the triangular coordinates as devised by Soil survey staff. Soil pH in H2O was determined using digital pH meter TOWA-Japan. Organic carbon content of soil was determined following Wet Oxidation Method and soil organic matter was calculated by multiplying organic carbon with 1.724. Total nitrogen on the air-dried samples was determined by Micro-Kjeldahl digestion and distillation method. Phosphorus content and available potassium was determined according to Page (1982) and Jackson (1973). Available potassium was determined according to Page (1982). Cation exchange capacity was determined with neutral 1N NH₄OAC saturation and 10% KCl displacement. The displaced ammonium was determined by Micro-Kjeldahl digestion and distillation followed by titration with standard acid.

Source of Information: Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 1(2):97-106, 2012

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Soil color and texture were almost similar in both natural forests and Panjhum. Soil moisture content was higher in natural forests than Panjhum irrespective of sites and depths. Bulk densities of Panjhum were higher than the natural forest. Soils of the study area are in general, acidic in nature. Soil organic matter is comparatively higher in natural forests than Panjhum. Lower organic matter in Panjhum might be due to exposure of forest floor through clearing of ground flora and opening of canopy cover through pruning of support trees. Contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were more or less similar in both the forest categories. Cation exchange capacity of soil between the forest categories was significant. However, considering all the major physical and chemical attributes it was finally revealed that betel-leaf cultivation has effect on soil properties, but there is no major differences between the natural forest and the Panjhum.

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