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Organic Matter and Plant Nutrient Depletion in Major Soil Series in the High Ganges River Floodplain.

Ameer Md. Zahid
SSO
SRDI, HQ, Mrittika Bhaban, Dhaka

Md. Nurul Islam
SSO
Regional Office, SRDI, Rajshahi

Md. Babul Hossain
SSO
HQ, SRDI, Dhaka

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Soil fertility and land use monitoring study was carried out in the Ganges river floodplain (AEZ 11) during 2000-2008 in two major soil series Sara, highland and Gopalpur, medium highland. The objectives of the research were to find out the status of organic matter (OM), pH and plant nutrient elements in the soil, and there depletion or changes over time. Chemical analysis of the soil samples were done every successive year. Organic matter status was decreased to very low (0.91%) for Sara soil and low (1.64%) for Gopalpur soils over the study period. Total nitrogen (N) showed a substantial reduction in both soils. It was decreased from 0.12% to 0.05% for Sara and from 0.13% to 0.10% for Gopalpur soils. P, K, S, Zn and B showed no definite decreasing trend line. Zinc was found more or less static throughout the study period. Sara soil showed almost a gradual decrease in pH value. The pH of Gopalpur did not show any significant change. In most cases, OM as well as N, P, S were found in higher levels in Gopalpur soils as compared to Sara soils. Farmers usually did not apply balanced fertilizers and organic matter into the soils.

Keywords: High Ganges River Floodplain, Soil organic matter, Nutrient depletion

Location: Village- Islamgati, Union- Dapunia, Upazila- Pabna Sadar, District- Pabna.

Start Date: 01-01-2000

End Date: 31-12-2008

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Land degradation

Objectives:

i) assessing soil organic matter depletion of the study area;

ii) monitoring changes of soil fertility status; and

iii) recommendation of proper soil management practices for achieving maximum crop yields.

Methodology:

The research study was based on collecting top soil composite samples in each successive year during 2000-2008 from the selected sites and analyzing them in the laboratory. Each experimental plot was arbitrarily divided into 9 sub-divisions. Thus a total of eighteen composite samples were collected from the two plots after harvesting Rabi crops and then analyzed in the regional laboratory of SRDI. Analysis were done for OM, pH, N, P, K, S, Zn and B for each sample. For data analysis the average value for each component was measured. Frequent visits were also made to collect land use practices data / information from the sites. Detail information of all cultivation activities were recorded properly.

Source of Information: Annual Report, 2000-2008. District Office, Pabna. Int. J. Sustain. Agril. Tech. 7(10): 34-37, October 2011. An online Journal of G-Science Publication.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget: 250,000

Total Budget (Tk.) : 250,000

Achievement/Findings:

Study shows a decrease in soil organic matter (SOM) in Sara and Gopalpur soils of High Ganges River Floodplain. SOM status was found comparatively higher in almost all cases in Gopalpur soil- that lies on the lower portion of the catena- than in Sara soil. PH of Sara series showed a decreasing trend, whereas it is of Gopalpur soil remains more or less static. The present status of pH was 8.30 for Sara and 7.10 for Gopalpur soils. The pH were always in higher values in Gopalpur soils than that of Sara soils. Presently nitrogen was found very low (0.05%) in Sara and low (0.10%) in Gopalpur soil. It was low for both the soils (0.12 and 0.13%) in 2001. Phosphorus was low (11.40 and 10.65 microgram/g) in both Sara and Gopalpur soils for upland crops and wetland rice varieties. Sulphur was increased in both soil series, but did not maintain any trend line. The year to year variations of S in both soils during the study period ranged from low to very high (6.22- 58.62 micro-g/g). Potassium was varied from low to medium for upland crops and wetland rice crops in Sara soil. But it was found optimum to very high in case of Gopalpur soil. In most cases Zn was found low (0.451-0.90 micro-g/g) to medium (0.91-1.35 micro-g/g) during 2000-2008. Boron in both Sara and Gopalpur soil series was medium (0.31-0.45 micro-g/g) to optimum level (0.451-0.60 micro-g/g). It did not follow any definite trend line. Farmers usually did not apply balanced fertilizers and organic matter in the soil. It is crucial to make attempts to increase soil organic matter status of the High Ganges River Floodplain for the sustainability of the agricultural production.

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