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Soil Chemical Properties Changes Under Alley Cropping in Terrace Ecosystem of Bangladesh

A. S. M. J. Alam
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh.

S. R. Saha
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh.

M. G. Miah
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh.

M. M. Rahman
Department of Soil Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur- 1706, Bangladesh.

M. R. Islam
Department of Agronomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur- 1706, Bangladesh.

A. K. Das
Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Soil health needs to be improved for the sustenance of productive agriculture and a sound environment where an alley cropping system might play a vital role. The study was composed of two factors viz. three alley widths of Gliricidia sepium (3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 m), and five nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the recommended dose) along with pruned materials in a split-plot design with three replications. The soil chemical properties were examined in alleys of Gliricidia sepium tree over two consecutive seasons. Results displayed that pruned materials (PM) of G. sepium increased the soil pH, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S), exchangeable calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil in different alley widths compared to the control. However, alley width 3.0 m and 100% N along with PM displayed the maximum OC (0.94%), total N (0.21%), available P (16.26 ppm), exchangeable Ca (2.54 meq/100 g) and Mg (0.90 meq/100 g), while maximum exchangeable K and CEC were noted in alley width 4.5 m and 100% N along with PM. The above results explicated that the improvement of the soil chemical properties by using pruned materials of G. sepium in alleys can be a promising option for uplifting the soil health condition as well as sustainable agricultural practices.

Keywords: Open field; Soil temperature; Soil moisture; Total nitrogen; Soil organic matter

Location: Department of Agroforestry and Environment, BSMRAU, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-10-2016

End Date: 00-02-2018

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Soil chemical properties

Objectives:

To executed over two consecutive seasons to examine the changes in soil chemical properties in alleys of G. sepium tree.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the alley cropping field (24°09´ N latitude and 90°26´ E longitude with an elevation of 8.5 meters from Sea level) of the Department of Agroforestry and Environment, BSMRAU, Bangladesh from October to February during 2016-2017 and 2017- 2018 in winter seasons. The land of the experimental field was characterized by a terrace landscape. The soil of the experimental site belongs to the agro-ecological zone 28 (Madhupur Tract) and is classified as a shallow red-brown terrace under the Salna series. The texture of the soil has been changed to loamy by manual deposits of alluvial soils. However, the available phosphorus content of the soil was low and other elements were almost at a satisfactory level. The experimental area has a subtropical climate characterized by three distinct seasons, the monsoon or rainy season (May to October), the winter or dry season (November to February), and the pre-monsoon or hot season (March to April). Heavy rainfall occurred during the months from May to September and scanty rainfall during the rest of the year. The experiment was laid out in a Split-plot design with three replications. The two factors were; three different alley widths of Gliricidia sepium viz. 3.0 m, 4.5 m, and 6.0 m which were designated as W_3.0, W_4.5, and W_6.0, respectively, along with control (CC). Factor B comprised of five different nitrogen levels along with pruned materials (PM) namely; N₀+PM, N₂₅+PM, N₅₀+PM, N₇₅+PM, and N₁₀₀+PM, and there were twenty different treatment combinations in the present study. For the control treatment, the crop was grown in an open field without the incorporation of Gliricidia sepium pruned materials. To evaluate the changes in soil properties in alley cropping system where Gliricidia sepium was used as the hedgerow crop; a hybrid cauliflower variety (Snow White) was grown in different alleys of the alley cropping with different levels of nitrogen fertilizer and the PM were added to the soil and left to decompose properly before planting the crop in both seasons. The seedling was transplanted in the field on 14 October in 2016-2017 and 20 October in 2017- 2018 growing seasons following 60 × 60 cm spacing. The crop was fertilized by following the fertilizer recommendation guide (FRG, 2012). There were different doses of nitrogen namely N₀ (no nitrogen), N₂₅ (25% of the recommended dose), N₅₀ (50% of the recommended dose), N₇₅ (75% of the recommended dose), and N₁₀₀ (100% of the recommended dose). No blanching was needed as the variety was a self-blanched one. Weeding was done properly to control the degree of competition between the crop and weeds for nutrient and light absorption. Irrigation along with other inter-cultural operations was done as and when needed. No plant protection measures were taken as it was not essential. The crop was harvested when the curd size became suitable for consumption. In each of the growing seasons, both before and after the experimentation soil samples were collected from 0-15 cm depth from each of the plots where the treatments were allocated. Soil samples were collected to determine soil pH, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and sulphur, exchangeable calcium, magnesium, potassium, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Soil pH was measured by the Glass Electrode pH meter by maintaining a soil-water ratio of 1:2:5. Organic carbon (%) in the soil sample was determined by the wet oxidation method. Total nitrogen content (%) of soil was determined following the Micro-Kjeldahl method. Available phosphorus was estimated following the methods of Olsen and Page. Available Sulphur was quantified as per the method of Chesin and Yien. Exchangeable calcium and magnesium were determined following the method of Hesse, whereas exchangeable potassium was estimated as per the method described by Page. All the data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Statistics 10 software. Different alphabetical letters represent significant differences among the treatments at P < 0.05 following a least significant difference (LSD) test.

Source of Information: Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition - 7(4): 32-42, 2021

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.9734/AJSSPN/2021/v7i430120

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The findings of the study revealed that G. sepium as a fertilizer tree in the alley cropping system potentially improved the soil chemical properties than the mono-cropping system. Our results indicated that G. sepium based alley cropping system could be a viable option in response to restore the soil health for noteworthy crop production.

Knowledge Management: Journal