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

Diversity and Preference of Agricultural Crops in the Cropland Agroforests of Southwestern Bangladesh

Md. Hasanuzzaman
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

Mahmood Hossain
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

Mustafa Saroar
Urban and Rural Planning Discipline Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Cropland agroforestry is an important production system of Bangladesh. This study focused on the diversity, composition, people’s preferences, spatial variations and purpose of cultivation of agricultural crops in the cropland agroforestry practices of southwestern Bangladesh. A total of 313 cropland agroforests were randomly surveyed from Khulna, Jessore and Satkhira districts of this region. The highest (0.84 to 0.87) crop diversity index (CDI) was found for climber vegetables, followed by tuber vegetables (CDI - 0.78 to 0.81), spices (CDI - 0.75 to 0.81) and the lowest (CDI - 0.20 to 0.40) was found for cereal crops. Among these three districts maximum crop diversity was found in Jessore as the soil is more suitable as well as marketing and transportation facility is higher than the other two districts. Among the cereal crops maximum (95%) preferred paddy (Oryzae sativa). Among the cash crops maximum (68%) preferred jute (Corchorus capsularis). Among the tuber vegetables maximum (44%) preferred potato (Solanum tuberosum). Among the fruity vegetables maximum (42%) preferred brinjal (Solanum melongena). Among the leafy vegetables maximum (39%) preferred basil (Basella alba). Among the climber vegetables maximum (36%) preferred bean (Lablab niger). Among the pulses maximum (52%) preferred lentil (Lens culinaris). Among the spices maximum (42%) preferred green peeper (Capsicum frutescens). Among the flowers maximum (70%) preferred rose (Rosa centifolia). Among the annuals/perennials maximum (66%) preferred banana (Musa spp.). Overall diversity and preference of agricultural crops in southwestern Bangladesh were determined by the local demand and end product.

Keywords: Bangladesh, Cropland agroforestry, Crop combinations, Diversity index, Relative preference.

Location: Khulna, Jessore and Satkhira districts, Southwestern Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Agroforestry

Objectives:

The overarching goal of this research is to offer an in depth analysis of current situation of cropland agroforestry practices in Khulna region. This will be done by examining few dimensions of agroforestry. First, what is the extent of diversity of crop production in cropland agroforestry practice? Second, are spatial variations observed in cropland agroforestry practices that linked to biophysical and morphological conditions of local soil? Third, how do local traditions influence the cropland agroforestry practices in Khulna region? Exploring these research questions has great significance for rural development and poverty alleviation in coastal Khulna region.

Methodology:

Description of the study site Bangladesh is located between 20°34'-26°3' N and 88°01'-92°41' E. It is bordered by the Bay of Bengal on the South and by India on all other sides along with small part of Myanmar in the south-eastern edge (BBS, 2004). The study is conducted in coastal Khulna region which comprises of three administrative units i.e. Khulna, Jessore and Satkhira district. Study area covers an estimated area of 10,830 sq km) in the South-west corner of Bangladesh (BBS, 2011). The Khulna region is basically a low lying flat, and fertile deltaic plain, most parts of which are roughly one meter above the mean sea level (MSL) (BBS, 2004; Hasanuzzaman et al., 2014b). The world famous mangrove forest Sundarban’s is located at the southern edge of this study site. Both calcareous and noncalcareous alluvium soils are found in this region (BBS, 2004). Tidal influence and salinity intrusion are pronounced in many parts of this region. In fact, strong salinity gradient in soil and water is observed from Jessore (located in the north edge) to Satkhira (located in the south edge). A tropical to subtropical humid monsoonal climate characterizes the entire area. The region experience about 1650 mm rainfall annually with high concentration during the month of June to August. Three distinct seasons such as summer (March–May), rainy (June– October), and winter (November–February) are pronounced in the entire area. The mean annual temperature is 26⁰C (range: 19–32⁰C). In some places, temperatures drop to 10⁰C during the winter and reach 40⁰C or more during the summer (Hasanuzzaman et al., 2014c). Cropland agroforestry practices are greatly shaped by many of these climatic factors and non-climatic factors in this region. Sampling design and data collection Every district consists of a number of smaller administrative units called sub-district. Twelve sub-districts (4 subdistricts from each district) were selected randomly. In the absence of systematically documented information on cropland agroforestry in each sub-district, cropland agroforestry plots were selected in an unbiased manner following Hasanuzzaman et al., (2014a). Every day a new local guide was hired to assist in selecting plots of cropland agroforestry. After selecting a cropland agroforestry plot, the guide was requested to stay away from the interview process in order to prevent bias while selecting the next plot of cropland agroforestry. Thus data and information were collected from a total of 313 plots of cropland agroforestry selected randomly during April –June 2013. The questionnaire broadly includes inquiry about the socio-demographic profile of the plot owners, various socio-environmental and ecological attributes of the plots employed for cropland agroforestry, species composition, management practices, and the problem encountered in the cropland agroforestry practices. Various descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the situation. Determination of crop diversity index There exist a myriad of methods of computing diversity index. One of the most widely used diversity index is Shannon's index (a measure of biodiversity in an ecological community) which is an ideal one for computing diversity of a particular area but not suitable for comparison purpose. Shannon diversity index allows comparison among the species of two communities only if total sample sizes are equal for both communities. For three districts of Khulna region as the sample sizes are not the same, therefore this index is not used to determine crop diversity. Another widely used diversity index is Simpson's diversity index which takes into account the number of species present, as well as the relative abundance of each species. However, to compute this index the number of species in any area, as well as the number of individuals of each species is required. As this study deals with the varieties of crops species (cereal, non-cereal, spices, vegetables etc.) which could not be counted rather amount of areas designated for each of these crops production could be computed, therefore the main Simpson diversity index could not be used. However, Gini-Simpson index which has similarities with The Gibbs-Martin index of diversity has solved this problem. Because Gini-Simpson index gives the probability those two randomly sampled individuals from the assemblage represent two different species. Therefore, for this research to compute the crop diversity, Gini-Simpson index is used. Determination of physical properties and chemical indicators of soil Top soils (up to 10 cm depth) from selected cropland agroforests of each districts was collected using core sampler of 5 cm diameter. Bulk density was determined by core method as described by Maynard and Curran (2007). Conductivity (EC) of soil was measured according to Mostara and Roy (2008). Soil pH was measured according to Miller and Kissel (2010). Organic matter of soil was measured according to Allen (1974). The plant available form of nitrogen in soil was prepared following Mulvaney (1996) and the plant available form of phosphorus and potassium in soil was prepared following Allen (1989). Then the sample extracts were processed according to Weatherburm (1967) and Timothy et al. (1984) to measure nitrogen and phosphorus concentration in sample extracts respectively using UV-Visible Recording Spectrophotometer (U-2910, HITACHI, Japan). Potassium concentration in sample extracts was measured by Flame photometer (PFP7, Jenway LTD, England). Statistical analysis The statistical analysis (multiple responses, χ² test, ANOVA, descriptive statistics) was performed using SPSS (17.0) statistical software.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The income of both individuals and communities has been increased by practicing cropland agroforestry over pure agriculture and as result a large scale of croplands has been converting to cropland agroforests in the recent period of time. The agricultural crops combination with different horticultural tree species found more preferred by the respondents for more profitability. However, the sustainability of this practice is dependent on different management training and monitoring by the concern department.

Knowledge Management: Journal