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Peat Soils of Bangladesh, Their Characteristics and Management

Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan*
Soil Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulan- 9208, Bangladesh

Saha Tapan Kumar
Soil Resource Development Institute, 116 Ahsan Ahmed Road, Khulna-9100, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Peat soil of Bangladesh is seasonally flooded, poorly to very poorly drained, very dark greyish brown to black organic soil. These soils include alternate layer of peat and muck, sometimes peat and mineral layer at the top of the profile. Two popular management techniques are practised in these areas namely, ‘Sharjan’ and ‘Gher’ procedure. In peat soils organic matter content is very high. Due to the presence of highly decomposed and partially decomposed orgnic matter, there is a possibility of root injury by H2S gas. The main landuse patterns are: fallow-broadcast aman, fallow-mixed aus and broadcast aman, Boro-shrimp and Boromixed shrimp and T. aman. There are some possibilities to improve these soils having mineral layer at the top of the profile and by allowing the sediments settling on full organic soils.

Keywords: Peat soil, Harta soil, Satla soil

Location: In Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Peat soil

Objectives:

The main limitations of peat soil are deep flooding, perennially wetness, low bearing capacity and difficult to manage for crop production. Above all, this soil is generally low in agricultural production. Considering the above facts, a project was undertaken: (a) to study physical and chemical properties of peat soil; (b) to identify the constraints and (c) to find out the development possibilities of the soil.

Methodology:

Ten soil samples were collected from different horizons of Harta and Satla soil series at Terokhada thana and Beel Dakatia of Fultala thana. The samples were air dried, ground and passed through a 2 mm sieve and bottled for chemical analysis. In situ soil physical properties were identified and described in Appendix-1 and 2. Soil pH was determined with a Pye pH meter using a glass electrode at a water suspension ratio 1: 2.5. Total carbon in soils was determined by the dry combustion method. Total nitrogen was estimated by Kjeldahl digestion method (Black, 1965). Ca, Mg and K were determined with neutral 1N NH4OAC displacement method of Jackson (1973). Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were extracted with DTPA and were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Boron was determined by hot water extraction method.

Source of Information: Khulna University Studies, Vol. 1, Issue 2, December 1999, pp. 235-240

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The improvenent of peat soil is not impossible but it is a difficult task. It is necessary to identify the category of problematic peat soils. Less problematic soils; organic soils with more than 25cm inorganic (mineral) layer could be developed through proper management individually with less cost involvement in a limited area. The more problematic soils; organic soils with less than 25cm inorganic (mineral) layer should be improved through Government agencies with high cost involvement in a large area. The soil chemical analysis data shows that organic matter (OM), N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Mn, Zn, B, Fe are very high in amount whereas physical properties of the soils are not favourable for the development of agriculture. In some cases, where mineral soils are present at the top of the layer, development activities could be done easily. In case of soil with full organic layer, soil could be improved through sedimentation process.

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