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Physico-chemical Properties of Accreted Soils of Saint Martin’s Island, Southeast Bangladesh

Md. Tipu Sultan
Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh

Shaikh Motasim Billah*
Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This research was conducted to observe the constraints of rice cultivation in accreted char land of Saint Martin’s Island soils were analyzed and compared with normal reference land of Batiaghata, Southwest Bangladesh for same variety of rice (BR-11). The soil pH ranged from 7.63 to 7.74, EC 5.49 dS.m-1 to 8.24 dS.m-1, CEC 37.87 Cmol(+) kg-1 to 52.13 Cmol(+) kg-1 , total N 0.086 to 0.11%, available P 1.6 to 2.38 µg.g-1 , available K 149.73 to 184.93 µg.g-1 , available S 134.33 to 178.33 µg.g-1 , available Ca 1333.33-1600 µg.g-1 , available Mg 800-1066.7 µg.g-1 , available Na 545.11-1362.77 µg.g-1 , Cl- 591.67-828.33 µg.g-1 , HCO3 - 0.122-0.183%, Organic Carbon 12-15.73 g.kg-1 and the soil texture was sandy clay loam. The pH of reference Batiaghata soil was 7.2, EC 3.13 dS.m-1 , CEC 27.83 Cmol(+) kg-1 , total N 0.17%, available P 7.93 µg.g-1 , available K 125.93 µg.g-1 , available S 340.1 µg.g-1 , available Ca 1062.7 µg.g-1 , available Mg 763.33 µg.g-1 , available Na 238.25 µg.g-1 , Cl- 110 µg.g-1 , HCO3 - 0.047%, Organic Carbon 60.2 g.kg-1 and the soil texture was clay loam. Nutrient contents do not differ between the two regions but excess Na+, Mg2+ and percent salts are the main constraints as well as the coarse sand of Saint Martin’s Island which enhanced leaching loss of elements and retard high yield in newly accreted region.

Keywords: Accreted land, Saint Martin’s Island, High yielding soils, Chemical attributes

Location: Saint Martin’s Island of Chittagong division, Bangladesh

Start Date: 23-10-2014

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Soil characterization, Physico-Chemical

Objectives:

Physico-chemical and biological properties of soils play an important role in determining the retention and availability of nutrients in the soils, which depends on the level of organic matter, degree of microbial activity, change in pH, types and amount of clay and status of soil moisture (Zende, 1984). This study was conducted to understand the physical and chemical soil properties responsible for low production of rice in Saint Martin’s Island soil and also to draw a conclusion of the suitability of rice production and if it is needed to reclaim, suitable measure for achieving high production of rice can be explored.

Methodology:

Description of the study area: The sampling sites are situated at Saint Martin’s Island of Chittagong division. A reconnaissance survey was conducted in different areas of Saint Martin’s Island and the samples were collected from four sampling sites (Dakshinpara, Golachipa, Uttarpara and Narkeldia) during 23 October, 2014. Saint Martin's Island is situated in Cox’s bazar district at 20°37′38.12″ N and 92°19′21.28″ E (Chowdhury and Chawdhury, 2012). This island is almost flat and 3.6 meter above mean sea level. Batiaghata Upazila is located in between 22°34' and 22°46' north latitudes and in between 89°24' and 89°37' east longitudes (BPC, 2007). The soil of Batiaghata was used as the reference soil.

Three replicate soil samples were collected from 0-15 cm depth from three points of each of four places. Samples were collected in the peak processing period of October. The soil samples were prepared by following the procedure as suggested by USDA (1951). Then, the laboratory analysis was conducted. Soil pH was determined electrochemically with the help of glass electrode pH meter maintaining the ratio of soil to water was 1:2.5 as suggested by Jackson (1973). The electrical conductivity of the soil was measured at a soil: water ratio of 1: 5 by the help of EC meter (USDA, 2004). The CEC of the soils were determined by extracting the soil with 1N KCl (pH 7.0) followed by the replacing the potassium in the exchange complex by 1 N NH4OAc. The displaced potassium was determined by a flame analyzer (Jackson, 1973). Total nitrogen of the soils was determined by colorimetric method (Bremner & Mulvaney, 1982) following H2SO4 acid digestion as suggested by Jackson (1973).

Available phosphorus was extracted from the soil with 0.5 M NaHCO3 (Olsen Method) at pH 8.5 and Molybdophosphoric blue colour method of analysis was employed for determination (Murphy & Riley, 1962). Available K was determined from NH4OAc. (pH- 7.0) extract as described by Jackson (1973). The extract was analyzed for available K by flame photometer (Jackson, 1973). Available Na was determined from NH4OAc. (pH7.0) extract as described by Jackson (1973). The extract was analyzed using flame photometer (Jackson, 1973). Available sulphur content was determined by turbidimetric method as described by (Jackson, 1973). It was measured by spectrophotometer at 420 nm wavelength. Organic carbon of soil samples was determined by Walkley and Black’s wet oxidation method as outlined by Jackson (1973). The CO3 2- and HCO3 - of the soil samples were determined by extracting the soil with 100 ml distilled water (Soil: water = 1:10) followed by the replacing of the CO3 2- and HCO3 - in the soil solution. Then the replacing the CO3 2- and HCO3 - was determined by titrimetric method (Jackson, 1973). The Ca2+ and Mg2+ of the soil samples were determined by extracting the soil with 1 N NH4OAc (Soil: extractant = 1:10) followed by replacing the Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the soil solution. Then the replacing the Ca2+ and Mg2+ were determined by titrimetric method (Lanyon & Heald, 1982). Chloride (Cl- ) was extracted from the soil with distilled water and determined by Precipitation Titration method (Skoog et al., 1996).

Particle size distribution of the soil samples were determined by Hydrometer method (Gee & Bauder, 1986). Texural Classes were determined by using Marshall’s Triangular Coordinate System (Brady & Weil, 2008). LSD and DMRT were carried out by using computer programs and IBM.SPSS.Statistics.V20.32bit.CoMrADO.

Source of Information: Khulna University Studies Volume 14 (1 & 2): 83-93: January-December 2017

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The content of available N, P, K, S and organic matter were low in some extent in Saint Martin’s Island but the available Ca, Mg, Na, Cl- and Electrical Conductivity were higher than that of high yielding Batiaghata rice field soil. Due to low water solubility of Calcium and Magnesium and dispersion effect of excess Sodium the soil quality may be decreased. Therefore, the main constraints of the Saint Martin’s Island were excess salinity and coarse soil particles (sandy loam). The nutrients which come in available form for plant (rice) are leached out through sand particles and the water holding capacity is also low which affect the yield of rice. If these constraints are removed from the soil of Saint Martin’s Island, then the soil may be more productive. More salt tolerated variety and decreasing the amount of salinity by using chemicals may be effective in more yield production. For cultivation, the top soil is eroded day by day. So, my recommendation is to tillage in Saint Martin’s Island soil with conservation practices with the use of organic fertilizer that can help in binding the soil particles as well as increase the water holding capacity to reduce the leaching loss of nutrients. But, if possible no cultivation is recommended to save the important coral island and important tourism site of Bangladesh.

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