NUTRIENT CONTENTS OF SOME REPRESENTATIVE SOILS OF GANGES RIVER FLOODPLAIN

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NUTRIENT CONTENTS OF SOME REPRESENTATIVE SOILS OF GANGES RIVER FLOODPLAIN

Course Title: Project Thesis Course No: SS-4106

This pr oject th es is pa pe r h as be e n pr epa red an d s u b m itted to Soil S cie n ce D is cip line , K hul na U ni ve rs it y , fo r th e pa rtial ful fillm e nt of four y e a rs

pr ofes s ion al B . S c. (H on ’ s ) de gr ee i n Soil S cie n ce.

S u b m itte d B y M oh am m ad M os tafiz u r R a hm an

S tu de n t ID : 07 1329 Se s s ion: 20 09 -10

S u pe rvi s ed b y M d. S adiq ul A m in A ss ist a n t P rofe ss or

Soil Scien ce D iscip lin e K hul na U ni v e rs it y , K hul n a

Jul y , 2011

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CONTENTS

Title………………… ……………

C ont ent s

P age N o ……….

I

L ist o f tables IV

L ist o f figur e s V

L ist o f A ppe n dices VI

1. In troduc tion 1

2. L iter at ur e R evi ew 3

2. 1. G an ge s -me an de r flood p lain s oil 3

2. 2. S oil a nd land form o f K hu lna 5

2 .3. S oil a n d lan d for m of Je s s or e 6

2 .4. Th e s oil s er ies co n cept 6

2 .5. S h o rt de s cript ion o f s t udi ed s o il s eries 7

2. 5 .1. A mjhup i s eries 7

2. 5 .2. Ish ur di se ries 7

2. 5 .3. M irpur s eries 8

2. 5 .4. S ar a s er ie s 8

2 .6. A b rief r e vi e w o n s t udi ed pr ope rtie s 9

2. 6. 1. S oil r eaction ( pH ) 9

2 .6. 2 . E lect rical co n duc tivi t y ( E C ) 9

2. 6 .3. Ni trogen ( N) 9

2. 6. 4. P ho s ph o r us ( P ) 10

2 .6. 5. P ot as s iu m ( K ) 10

2. 6. 6. S ul p hur ( S ) 11

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Title………………… ……………

2 .6. 7. S odiu m ( N a)

P age N o ………

12

2. 6. 8. O rga nic carbo n 12

2 .6. 9 . C /N ratio 12

2. 6. 10 . Te xt ur e 12

3. M aterials a n d M eth ods 14

3. 1. St udy ar ea 14

3.2. G eology a n d lan d for m 18

3.3. C ollection o f s o il s amp les 18

3.4. P roces s ing of S oil Samp les 18

3. 5. S oil A na lys is 18

3. 5.1. S oil pH 18

3. 5.2. E lect rica l co n duc tivi t y ( E C ) 18

3. 5.3. O rga nic car b on ( C ) 18

3 .5.4. Tot al ni troge n ( N ) 19

3. 5. 5. A va ilable P ho s p ho r us ( P ) 20

3. 5.6. A v a ilable S u lp h ur ( S ) 20

3. 5.7. A v a ilable S odiu m ( N a) a n d P ot as s iu m ( K ) 20

3. 5.8. C arb on /N itro ge n (C /N ) ra tio 20

3. 5.9. P ar ticle s ize a n aly s is 20

4. R esu lts a n d D isc us s io n 21

4 .1. S t udi ed pr ope rtie s 21

4. 1 .1. S oil r eact ion ( pH ) 21

4. 1 .2. E lect rica l co n duc tivi t y ( E C ) 21

4. 1 .3. Tot al ni troge n ( N ) 21

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Title ... .. ... .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... .

4. 1 .4. A v a ilable ph o s p h o r us


22

4. 1 .5. A v a ilable pot as s iu m ( K ) 22

4. 1 .6. A v a ilable S u lp h ur ( S ) 23

4. 1 .7. A v a ilable s odiu m ( N a) 23

4. 1 .8. O rga nic m at ter 26

4. 1 .9. C /N r atio 26

4. 1 .10. Te x t ur e 27

4 .2. Ag ricu ltur a l s ta tus of th e s tudy ar ea 27

4 .3. C om pa rat ive s t ud y o f fer tilit y 29

4 .3. 1 . A m jhup i 29

4. 3. 2. Is hur di 29

4 .3. 3. M irpur 29

4 .3. 4 . S ara 29

4 .4. F ut ur e pr o s pe cts 29

5. S um m ar y a n d C on clus io n 32

6. R efer e n ces 34

7. A ppe n dices 41

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List of Tables

Title………………… ………. . .

Tabl e 2. 1. C h em ica l ch ar act er is tics o f G an ge s -me an de r s o il


4

Table 3. 1. G en eral informa tion o f s amp ling s ite s 14

Tabl e 4. 1. D iffer e n t ch em ica l pr ope rties o f s t ud ied s oils 24

Tabl e 4. 2. C o rrelat ion a m o n g th e s t udi ed pa ram et er s 25

Tabl e 4. 3. D es cript iv e S tatis tics 26

Table 4. 4. Te x t ur e a n d croppi n g pa ttern o f s t ud y ar ea 28

Table 4. 5. C om pa ris on o f pr es e n t a n d r equ ired n ut rie n t con ten t

in r es pe ct of cr oppi n g pa tter n

30

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List of Figures

Title………………… ……….

Fig. 2. 1. G an ge s de lta

P age N o ………. . .

4

Fig. 3. 1. S am p ling s ites at Jes s o re s ada r 15

Fig. 3. 2. S am p ling s ite s a t P h u lta la in K h u lna 16

Fig. 3. 3. S am p ling s ites at B agh er pa ra in Je s s o re 17

Fig. 3. 4. D ige s tion ch am be r fo r ni troge n de term ina tion 19

Fig. 3. 5. D istillation u nit fo r ni troge n de term ina tion 19

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List of Appendices

Title………………… ………. . .

A ppe n dix 1. S oil clas s e s b a s ed o n pH

P age N o ………

41

A ppe n dix 2. S oil sa linit y clas s e s b as ed on E C 41

A ppe n dix 3. Soil fer tilit y s tat us b as ed on o rga nic m at ter 42

A ppe nd ix 4. C ritical lim its a nd m etho d of e xt raction of nut rie nt s 42

A ppe nd ix 5. F ertilit y s tat us ba s ed on i nd iv idua l nu trie nt cont ent 42

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Chapter 1

1. Introduction

Th er e ar e hi s to rica l e vi de n ce s t h at s ur vi v a l o f a c iv ilizat ion de pe n ds o n s oil

pr oduc tivi t y . S oil c an b e s ing led o u t a s on e o f t h e m o s t i m po rtan t e n vi ronm en ta l

facto rs a ffectin g c rop y ie lds ( Jahir, 2010) . S oils a s lan ds cape b odies con tain r an ge s o f

phy s ical, ch em ical, m ine ralogi cal a n d m or ph o logi cal pr ope rties . Th e gr oup in g of s oils

is t o un de rs tan d th e ir pr ope rties a n d r e lations hip fo r de v e lop in g lan d us e p lans .

B es ide s ot h er pr ope rties , ch em ica l na t ur e of s oil is a ls o im po rtan t in th e r eco gni tio n

an d pr op er u tiliz a tion o f s o ils o f d iv ers ified t y p e s ( Seh ga l, 1992) .

A ro un d 2. 5 billio n t ons o f s edim ent s a re br o ugh t a nn ua lly by t he r ive r w a ter t ha t pa s s

th ro ugh B an g lade s h ( R ahm an , 1989) . O nly a po rtion o f t his s edim en t l oad is

de po s ited w ithin t h e B an g lade s h ter rito rial w at er . R es t of it is c ar ried to th e s ea

fur the r s o ut h. T he huge s edim ent l oad be com e s a do m ina nt a ge nt in t he

ge om orph o logic d yna m ics in t he s o ut h - w es ter n ar eas o f B an g lade s h . S oils o f t h at

reg ion ar e che m ically d iffer e n t from t h e r ocks an d m in erals fro m w hich t h ey w e re

fo rm ed an d co n tain les s o f t h e w at er s olu ble w eat h er ing pr oduc ts , cal ciu m ,

ma g n e s iu m , s odiu m , a n d pot as s iu m a n d m ore of t h e r e lativ e ly ins o lu ble e leme n ts

s uc h a s i ron a n d a lu m inu m . O ld, hi g hl y w ea th ered s oils n o rm ally ha v e hi g h

con cen trations of a lum inu m a n d iron oxi de s . Th e or ga nic fraction of a s oil, a lth ough

us ua lly r epr es e nt ing m uc h le s s er a m o un t o f the s oil m as s by w e ig ht , ha s a gr eat

influ e n ce o n s oil ch em ical pr ope rties . S oil pH is t h e m o s t impo rtan t facto r of n ut rie n t

a va ilabilit y in s o ils. G en erally , a v a ilabilit y o f m acron ut rie n ts increas e s a s s o il pH

inc rea s es a n d re v er s e is t r ue fo r m icron ut rie n ts e xc ept M o. I n m o s t cas es , pH 6 -7 is

o p timu m fo r a de qua te a v a ilabilit y o f n ut rien ts in s o ils ( Jahir, 2010) . P lan ts , like

ani m als , r equ ire food for th e ir gr o w th a n d de v e lopm en t. T his food i s c om po s ed o f

cer tain e lem en ts r efer red to as pl an t n ut rie n ts . P lan t n ut rie n ts ar e of co m p let e ly

in o rga nic in n at ur e . B u t m an a n d a nim als a ls o r equi re o rga nic foods t uf fs in a ddition to

in o rga nic nut rie nt s . P lant s c ont ain m o re t ha n 90 e lem ent s , but o nl y 16 e lem ent s a re

reco gni zed a s es s e n tial. E xc ept car b on , hy droge n an d o xy ge n , a ll t h e 13 e lem en ts ar e

take n up by p lan ts fro m s o ils . N itroge n , P h o s ph o r us a n d P ot as s iu m a re called pr im ar y

nut rie nt s b ecau s e o f t h e ir lar ge r equ irem en t. N u trien ts can e xi s t in t h e s oil in va rio us

fo rm s , vi z. d is s olve d in t h e s oil s o lut ion , ads o rb ed on th e s oil pa rticle s ur fac e or as

co n s tit ue n ts o f t h e s olid pha s e ( s pa rin g ly s o lu ble m ine rals , o rga nic m at ter , an d

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occlude d m at er ial). T h es e s o ur ces ar e n o t i n de p en de n t; in ter -co nv er s io n s b et w ee n

th em ar e po s s ible. T h e av a ilabilit y o f a n ut rien t r efer s t o th at fract ion o f t h e n ut rie n t

w hich is ac ces s ib le t o pl an t r oot s . I t i s o ften ob s er v ed th at t h e t ot al s tat us of a

pa rticu lar nut rie nt i n s oil is hig h but the pl ant s gr o w n on this s oil s u ffers from

de ficienc y o f t ha t e lem ent . This ind icates , t he e xt ent of a va ilabilit y is a big conc ern in

que s tion o f p lant up take a nd cons eque nt gr o w th. T hus , a po rtion o f t he t ot al c ont ent

b eco m e s a va ilable for pl an t up take de pe n ding o n s om e s oil c on ditio n s , vi z . s o il pH ,

s oil t ex t ur e, o rga nic m at ter c on ten t, floodin g, n u trie n t i n ter act ion , t em pe rat ur e, et c.

So, ch em ica l c h ar act er izat ion o f s oil is e s s e n tial t o kn o w th e u ltim at e de m an d o f

nut rie nt s fo r b etter plan t gr o w th ( B A R C , 2005) .

Th e o bject iv e o f t his s t udy w as t o as s es s t h e n ut rition al s tat us of s om e r epr es en tat iv e

s oils o f G an ge s r iv er floodp lain s o il.

Literature Review

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Chapter-2

2. Literature Review

B an g lade s h is t h e l ar ge s t de ltaic floodp lain in t h e w o rld w ith a tot al a rea o f 147570

km 2 o f w hich 88892 km 2 is o ccup ied by m ajor r ive rs an d es t ua ries . T h e gr eat de lta i s

flat thr o ugh o ut a nd s ke tche s fro m ne ar t he foot hills o f t he H im ala ya s M o un ta in in the

no rth to a s o ut he rn irregu lar de ltaic co as tline t h at f aces t h e B a y o f B e n g al.

B an g lade s h co m pr is es hills , t er races an d allu vi a l p lains ( Fig. 1) . T h e m ajor po rtion o f

the B eng al B as in o f t he S ind hu -G ange s de pr e s s ion lie s in B ang lade s h. R ecent ly

fo rm ed de lta a n d allu vi a l p lains o f t h e G an ge s , B rahm aput ra an d M eg hn a r iv er s ar e

th e m o s t ex ten s ive ar ea o f cr oppi n g pr act ice s . H ow ev er , m o s t of t h e ar ea s u ffer s fro m

a va riable e xt ent o f s o il a nd land cons tra int s a nd na t ur a l ha z ards . T he s o ut h - w es ter n

pa rt of B an g lades h ma inly co m pr ising G an g es m ean der a n d tida l a llu vi a l p lains ha s

s e v er e co n s train ts due to cer tain u nfa v o ur abl e s o il an d lan d cha ract er is tics a n d n at ur a l

dis as ters like dr o ugh t, flood, c y clonic s to rm s ur ge s , to rn ado es e tc. ( Sah eed, 2010) .

2.1. Ganges-meander flood plain soil

The G ange s -B rahm aput ra-M eghn a de lta is t h e lar ge s t de lta i n t h e w o rld. T h e

H im ala ya n r ive rs c ont ribut e one -third of t he gl oba l s edim ent trans po rt to t he w o rld

ocean s ( M illm an et al., 1983) . S in ce m illio ns of y ear s t h e B en ga l b a s in r ece ive d

mill io ns o f f lood th at c reated this l and to t he pr e s ent f o rm . W ith t he bi rth of t he

m ode rn H im ala ya n M o un ta ins a bo ut 35 m illio n ye ars a go the m ig ht y r ive rs dr aine d

alon g pa leo s lope s a n d de po s ited a b o ut 16 -18 k ilo me tres o f thick s edime n ts in

B an g lade s h . T h e an cien t r iv er r eco rds of t his r egio n s ho w s e ve ral o ve rflo w s o f t he

ch anne ls dur in g t h e pe riod o f hig h d is ch arge . T h e floodp lains ar e n o t ab s o lut e ly flat .

B roadly s pe aking, t he y ha ve a n o ve rall gr adient to w ards the c ent re a nd s o ut h. The y

a ls o ge ne rally ha ve a s m oo th, ve r y ge nt ly u n du lating re lief co m pr ising b road ridge s

an d de pr es s io ns . T h e r idge s ar e pr es en t-da y o r f o rm er r iv erb an ks ( a lso c alled

‘ lev ees ’ ). Th e de pr es s ions ar e b as ins ( b ack s w am ps ) , fo rm er r iv er ch anne ls an d cut -off

m ea n de rs . A s s ociat ed w ith t h es e r e lief d iffer e n ce s ar e di ffer e n ces in s o ils a n d

floodin g c h aracteris tics w hich s tron g ly in flue n ce lan d us e a n d a gr icu lt ur a l pot en tia l

(B ram m er, 1971) .

Literature Review

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Fig. 2. 1. G an ge s delta

Tab le 2 .1. C h em ical cha racteris tics o f G an ge s -m ean der s oil

Major land type

Soil pH

Soil OM

Nutrient status

N P K S Ca Mg Zn B Mo

Highland 5. 9 -8. 1 L VL -L L -M M L -M Opt -H Opt -H L -M L -M M

Medium highland

6. 0 -8. 1 L -M VL -L L -M M L -M Opt -H Opt -H L -M L -M M

Medium lowland

6. 5 -8. 3 L -M L L -M M L -M Opt -H Opt -H L -M L -M M

*H = h igh; M =me dium ; L = low ; V = v er y ; O pt = opt imu m (B A R C , 2005)

Literature Review

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This r eg ion inc lud es t h e w es ter n pa rt of t h e G an ge s R ive r F loodplain w hich is

pr edo m ina n tly hig h lan d a n d m ediu m hig hlan d. T h ere is a n o v erall pa ttern o f olive -

b ro w n s ilt loam s a n d s ilt y cla y lo am s o n t h e uppe r pa rts of floodp lain r idge s a n d da rk

gr e y m o ttled br o w n, m ain ly cla y s o ils on ridge s ite s a nd in ba s ins . O rga nic m atter

cont ent i n t he br o w n r idge s o ils is lo w but hi g he r in t he da rk gr e y s o ils . So ils a re

s ligh tly a lka line in reaction . G en eral fertilit y le ve l is lo w a lth o ugh C E C is me diu m

and K - b earing mine rals a re me diu m t o hi g h b ut t h e Z n a n d B s tat us is lo w t o m ediu m

(B A R C , 2005) . The m ajor r ive rs br ing in d ifferent ki nd s o f a llu vi u m . G ange s

s ed im en ts ar e r ich in w eat h er able m ine rals ( B ram m er , 1971) .

2.2. Soil and land form of Khulna

K h ul na D ivi s io n is one of t h e s ix divi s io ns a n d oc cupi e s a b out on e s ix th of t ot al

ge ogr aphi cal area o f th e co un tr y ( 22, 283 km 2). It h a s a n uni que s ce n ario o f s oil, lan d,

w at er an d ot h er n at ur a l r es o ur ces inc lud ing on e o f t h e s ing le lar ge s t m an gr o v e fo res t

of t h e w or ld, e n do w ed w ith a n e n or m ous bi odive rs it y in r e s pe ct of b ot h flor a a n d

fa u na . S oil nut rie nt s s uc h a s N itroge n, P ho s p h o r us , Z in c an d M an ga ne s e ar e de plet ing

in m o s t o f th e ar ea. T h e K h u lna D ivi s io n lies ap pr o xi m at e ly b et w een 21º 34' N an d

24º13' S latit ude s a n d 88º 33' E a n d 89º 58' W lo n g it ude s o ccup y ing t he e x trem e

s o ut hw e s tern pa rt of t he c o un tr y . It is bo un ded by t he G ange s r ive r in t he no rth, the

G ar ai-M ad h u m at i-B ales w ar- H aring ha ta rive r s ys te m in t he e as t, B a y o f B e nga l in t he

s o ut h a nd Ind ia in t he w e s t ( B B S , 1993) . The e nt ire K hu lna d iv is io n is un derlain b y

the G ange s a llu vi u m . B e ng al B as in w hich is a pa rt of t he S ind hu -G an ge s de pr es s io n s

o r th e H im ala y a n F orede ep co v er s an ex ten s ive ar ea o f B an g lade s h an d in In dia s tates

of W e s t B en ga l a n d A s s am . T h e r ecen t an d s ub -rece n t s ed im en ts of t h e G an ge s

a llu vi u m co v er s t h e e n tire K h u lna d iv is io n . T h e de ep b a s ins in th e ce n tra l-eas t, t h e

trans itiona l z o ne be tw een t he r ive r floodp lain in t he no rth a nd the tida l floodp lain in

th e s o u th ar e co v er ed by t hin la y er s o f pe at . Th e m ea n de r floodp lain at tains a n

e le va tion o f 12 m in the no rth - w e s t a n d t ida l floo dplain in t h e s o ut h s e ldo m r ise s

be y o nd 2 m a bo ve m ean s ea le ve l. D is tinc tly t hr ee m ain p hy s iogr ap hic uni ts co ve r the

s t udy ar ea, n am ely G an ge s r iv er floodp lain , G an g es t ida l floodp lain a n d pe at b as ins .

E x cept f o r s m all ar ea s o f P eat i n t h e cen tral e as t al l t h e s o ils o f t h e r egi on ar e

de v e lope d in r ece n t G an ge s a llu vi a l s ed im en ts ch ar act er ized by s lig h t to m ode rat e

ca lcar eo us n e s s w h e n y o u n g. T h e s oils ar e e ith er ca lcar eo us t h ro ugh o u t th e pr ofile o r

at s om e de pt h a n d pa le b ro w n o r gr ey - b row n t o dark gr e y loa m s a n d cla y s . M os t of

Literature Review

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th em a re floode d dur in g t h e r ainy s ea s on . T h e tops oils pudd led for tran s p lan ted rice

crops us ua lly h a v e a r at h er c om pa ct p lo ugh pa n at th e ir b as e. A ctive ac id s u lp h at e

s oils locally oc cur in t h e tida l floodp lain . M os t of t h e t ida l floodp lain s o ils be co m e

sa line t o a v ar iable de gr ee in t h e dr y s ea s on . T h e y o u n g s o ils ar e m o s tly C alcar ic

Flu vi s o ls ( FA O -U N E SC O , 1989) or F lu v aque n ts ( Soil Ta x on om y , 1994) , w hile in t h e

y o u n g an d o ld rive r floodp lain ar eas t h e y ar e C alcar ic C am b is o ls o r E u troch rept s on

ridge s a n d C alcar ic/E ut ric/V er tic G le y s o ls o r E n do aque p ts in b as ins o fte n w ith v er tic

pr ope rtie s .

2.3. Soil and land form of Jessore

Jes s ore is on e of th e gre ater d is tricts in K h u lna d ivi s ion , w hich is located in s o ut h w e s t of

Ba n g lade s h . It lies be tw ee n 22 °10 ΄ to 89 °16 ΄ eas t lon g itude s . Its e le va tion is 8 m eters

abov e m ean s e a le ve l and the area is ne arly s lop e from no rth to s out h (B ang lap edia,

2006). J es s ore ha s be en de v e lop ed a n d influe n ced b y t he pr oces s of s ilta tion from a

n e tw ork of rive rs . Be ca us e of i ts l ocation i n a m oribu n d de lta, t h e t ow n h as s pe cific

ch aracteris tics on lan d, s oil, c lim ate , hy drolog y a n d ra infall. Th e lan d of Jes s ore re g ion

can be br oadly c h aracteriz ed b y t h e G an g es m ean der floodp lain h a vi n g low er r e lief and

be ing cris s -cros s ed b y inn um era b le r ive rs a n d c h anne ls . It is n early flat a n d t he s urf ace is

poo rly dra in ed. T h e lan d s urfa ce of J es s ore t ow n a re a i s no t pe rfectly le ve l a n d i s

ch aracteriz ed b y s ix m ajor g eom orp hic u nits . T h es e a re n a tura l le v ees , floo dp lain s , old

m ean de r c om p le x, ba r, tidal m ars h a n d ba cks w am ps . N atur al le v ees a re w e ll de v e lop ed

along t he B ha irab -K op oda k b anks a nd a re occup ied m ainl y b y the pr es e nt bu ilt- up a re a of

the t ow n (R eim an , 1993). J es s ore d is trict is form ed e nt ire ly b y th e de ltaic action of th e

G an ge s w hich bro ug h t mud an d lime s ton e from t h e H ima lay as . Th e s oil is t o a gr ea t

e xt e n t uni form in c ha ra cter a n d v aries onl y gre a ter or s m aller a dm ixt ure of s an d, s ilt a nd

cla y . N atura lly , the pe rcen tage of s an d is gre ater alon g th e riv ers ide an d s m aller in tho s e

areas w h ere de ltaic a ction h as c eas ed. Th e tow n frin ge s pa rticu larly a re t h e m ars h areas

(H as s an , 1984).

2.4. The soil series concept

Soil s eries is a gr o up o f s o ils fo rm ed from t h e s ame o r s im ilar pa re n t m at er ials u n de r

s im ilar c on dition s o f clim ate , dr ain age , v ege tat ion an d tim e a n d h a vi ng th e s am e k ind

an d s equ e n ce o f a ll m ajor h o rizo ns a n d s o m e d iffe ren tiat in g pr ope rties . S oil s er ies a re

n am ed after th e l oca lit y w h er e it is firs t ide n tified. Tejga on , S ar a an d B ar is al s er ie s

ar e a f ew ex am p les . S oil s er ie s ar e gi v e n na m es fo r c on v e nie n ce, s o th at th e s oils o f

http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/HT/S_0450.HTM�

http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/HT/C_0288.HTM�

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7 | P a g e

ind iv idua l s er ies ca n b e d iffer e n tiat ed from t h o s e o f ot h er s er ie s w ith o ut a ll t h e ir

pr ope rtie s ha vi ng to b e de s crib ed eac h t im e t h ey ar e r efer red to. Th e fact t h at a

pa rticu lar s o il is n am ed 'B ar is al S er ie s ' do es n o t m ea n t h at t h e s oils o f t h at s er ie s ar e

fo u nd onl y w ithin t he bo un da r y o f B aris al t o w n, upa z ila o r di s trict. The na me i s

app lied to all s o ils w ith t h e de fine d pr ope rties o f t h e B ar is al s er ie s Th e s er ie s n am e is

m er e ly a labe l t o fac ilitat e r efer e n ce. In B an g lade s h ar o un d 500 s oil s er ie s h a v e b ee n

iden tified dur ing reconn ais s a n ce s oil s ur v e y w o rk. Th es e s oil s eries v ar y in s iz e .

(H us s a in , 1992)

2.5. Short description of studied soil series

Th er e ar e m any s o il s er ies in t h e G an ge s -m eande r s oils o f t he s o ut h - w es ter n pa rt o f

B an g lade s h . A m o n g th e s e s o il s er ies , fo ur c om m o n s er ies ar e A m jh up i, I s h ur di,

M irpur an d Sar a.

2.5.1. Amjhupi series

The A m jhup i s erie s c o m pr is e s int erm ittent ly a nd s e as ona lly s ha llo w ly floode d,

im pe rfectly t o p oo rly dr aine d s o ils de v e lope d in olde r ga n ge tic a llu vi u m . T he y h a v e

no n -ca lcar eo us s ilt y cla y s u b s o il w ith m ode rat e t o s tron g v er y co ar s e a n d coar s e

pr is m at ic s tr uc t u re b reak in g in to m ode rat e to s tron g co ars e an d m ed iu m s u b a n gu lar

block y s tr uc t ur e w ith o live gr e y pe d cut an s . T h ey ar e ca lcar eo us b e lo w t h e s ub s o il

(R ahm an , 2005) .Tops oil t e x t ur e r an ge s fro m s ilt loam t o s ilty c la y loam. T h e s e s oils

occur m ain ly in K o tw ali, F ak irh at , B age rh at , D au lat pur , P h u lta la, K ach ua , D u m ur ia

an d M o llah at th an a. T h es e s o ils ar e m ain ly u s ed for jut e f o llo w ed by r abi cr ops on

hig h er pa rt of r idge s a n d a us fo llo w ed by t ran s p lan ted a m an o n lo w er pa rt of r idge s .

In s o m e ar eas t il ( s es am u m ) r ep laces aus by 5 -10 pe rcen t. M ajor agr icu lt ur a l

lim itations a re dr o ugh tine s s in dr y s eas on a n d in term itten t to s h allo w floodin g in t h e

m o ns oon s eas on (R econn ais s a n ce S oil S ur v e y , 19 73) .

2.5.2. Ishurdi series

Th e I s h ur di s er ies co m pr is es in ter m itten tly a n d s eas on ally floode d im pe rfect ly t o

poo rly dr aine d s oils de v e lope d in G an ge tic a llu vi u m . Th e y ha v e c alcareo us s ilt y c la y

s ubs o il w ith s tron g c oars e a n d m ediu m pr is m atic a n d bl ock y s tr uc t ur e w ith

con tin uo us gr e y to olive -gr e y pe d c ut an s ( R ahm an, 2005 ). The y a re int erm ittent ly a nd

s eas on ally floode d 2 -4 f eet de ep f o r 2 -5 m ont hs . Th es e s oils o ccur m ain ly in

B age rha t, D aul at pur , D um ur ia, F ak irha t, K achua , M ollah at ,P aikg ac hh a, P h u lta la,

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8 | P a g e

K h u lna a n d Ter akh ad a t h an a. T h e highl an d ph as e s a re m ainl y us ed for a us fo llow ed

by r a bi c rops . T h e m ediu m hig hlan d p h a s e a re m ain ly us ed for a us fo llo w ed by

tran s p lan ted am an follo w ed occas s ion ally by r a bi cr ops . M ixe d aus an d b roadc as t

am an fo llo w ed by r a bi crops or fallo w is pr actis ed in m ediu m lo w land pha s e s . M ajor

lim itat ions fo r agr icu lt ur a l de v e lop m en t ar e dr y s eas on dr o ugh tin es s an d in ter m itten t

to s eas on al floodi n g. In s om e a reas s udde n r is e of flood w ater le v e l pr ovi de a ddition a l

limi tations (R econn ais s a n ce S oil S ur v e y , 1973 ).

2.5.3. Mirpur series

M irpur s o ils o ccur i n t h e s u m m it an d m iddle s lope s of n ear ly le v e l t o v er y ge n tly

s lop ing floodp lain ridge s . T h e y inc lude s s ea s on ally intermi tten tly w e t, impe rfectly t o

m ode rate ly w e ll dr aine d, n on -calcareo us lo am a n d s ilt loam s , u s ua lly o v erlyi ng a

coars e te x t ur ed c alcareo us s ubs trat um ( R ahm an , 2005) . Th es e s o ils ar e de ve lope d in

O ld G an g es m e n der f loodp lain o ccup y ing s u m m it a n d uppe r pa rt of r idge s . T h es e

s oils o ccur m ainl y in B age rha t, D au lat pur , D um ur ia, F ak irh at , K h u lna , T er akh ada ,

K ac h u a, P a ikga chh a, P h u lta la a n d R am pa l t h an a . T h es e s o ils ar e m ain ly us ed for

a us /til/jut e / fo llo w ed by r a bi crops a n d a us fo llo w ed by t ran s p lan ted a m an . In s o m e

ar eas , t h es e s o ils ar e m ain ly u s ed for co con ut , b e teln ut , m an go an d jack fr u it ga rde n

(Re con na is s a n ce S oil S ur v e y , 1973) .

2.5.4. Sara series

Sar a s er ie s ar e de v e lope d in th e le v ee de po s it a n d occupy s u m m its to m iddle s lope s o f

ve r y ge nt ly u ndu lating ridge s . T he y a re int erm ittent ly t o s ha llo w ly floode d,

im pe rfectly t o p oo rly dr aine d, ca lcar eo us s ilt loams w ith us ua lly w eak pr isma tic a n d

s uba n gu lar bl ock y s tr uc t ur e in t h e B h o riz o n ( R ahm an , 2005) . Th es e s o ils a re ma inly

us ed for a us or jut e fo llo w ed by r a bi c rops a n d a us fo llo w ed by t ran s p lan ted a m an . In

s om e ar eas au s is r ep laced by t il. M ajor a gr icu lt ur a l lim itations a re dr o ugh tin es s in

dr y s eas on a nd int erm ittent to s ha llo w f looding i n t he m ons oon s eas on. The c rop

gr o w n at pr es en t w o ul d b e n efit fro m t h e b alanc ed us e o f fer tiliz er s . Wi th irriga tion

an d field dr ain age ; im pr o v ed pe re nni al a n d a nnu a l dr y - lan d c rops c o ul d b e gr o w n

thr o ugh o ut the ye ar o n hi g hland p ha s e (R econn ais s a n ce S oil S ur v e y , 1973) .

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9 | P a g e

2.6. A brief review on studied properties

O nl y t he pr ope rties im po rtan t fo r o ur objectiv e o f th e s t ud y w er e co n s ide red.

2.6.1. Soil reaction (pH)

Soil r ea ction is t h e m o s t im po rtan t s in g le c h em ical c h ar act er is tic w hich h a s a gr eat

in flu en ce o n m any p hy s ical, ch em ical an d m in eralog ical pr ope rties o f t h e s o il.

S u itabi lit y o f s oil as a m ed iu m fo r th e pl an t g row th an d de s irable m icro -o rga nis m s

de pe n ds upo n w h et h er th e s oil is ac id, n eut ral o r a lka line a n d th er efore this pr ope rt y

receiv e s s pe cial e mp ha s is in pe do ge n e s is a n d cla s s ification o f s o ils ( B rady a n d W eil,

2002) .

2.6.2. Electrical conductivity (EC)

P ur e w ater is a poo r c on duc to r of e lect ricit y , b ut co n duc tivi t y inc rea s e s as m o re an d

m ore s a lt is d is s o lv ed in t h e w at er . T h us , th e e lect rica l co n duc tivi t y o f t h e s oil

s olut ion g iv e s us an in direct m eas ur e m en t of t h e s a lt co n ten t. S alt af fect ed s oils

adv er s e ly a ffect p lan ts b ecau s e o f t h e t ot al co n cen tration o f s alts in th e s o il s o lut ion

an d b ecau s e o f co n ce n trat ion o f s pe cific io n s ( B rad y an d W eil, 2002) .

2.6.3. Nitrogen (N)

B an g lade s h s o ils like o th er tropical an d s u b -tropical s oils h a v e lo n g b ee n cat egor iz ed

as poor in fer tilit y b ecau s e o f lo w nitroge n s upp ly (Is lam , 1983) . H e a ls o repor ted th at

th e ni troge n co n ten t of t h e hi lly r eg io ns o f t h e n o rth -eas t an d eas t w er e r elat iv e ly hig h

(0. 10 to 0. 12 % ) a s c om pa red w ith t h at o f t h e floo dplain a n d t errace s oils ( 0. 02 t o

0. 09) . D epa rtm en t of S oil S ur v e y ( 1979) r epor ted th at th e ni troge n c on ten t of

B an g lade s h A gr icu lt ur a l U nive rs it y F arm S oils r a n ge d fro m 0. 06 to 0. 13 % in t h e t op

s oil o f t h e r idge s . Th e y fur th er r epor ted th at tot al N co n ten t de creas ed gr adua lly w ith

de pt h . B an g lade s h s o ils ar e w idely de ficien t in ni troge n ( E aqub , 1984; B h u iy a n et al.,

1977) . B h u iy a n et al. (1990) w o rke d w ith 40 s oil s am p les o f B an g lades h a n d s tated

tha t the tot al N c ont ent of B ang lades h s oils r a ng ed from 0. 05 to 0. 22% . P o rtch a nd

Is lam ( 1984) o pin ed t h at a te s t fo r tot al N an d a t es t fo r or ga nic m at ter o r o rga nic

car b on w er e es s e n tially t h e s am e b ecau s e t h e co n ten t of N in s o il o rga nic m at ter w as

re lat iv e ly co ns tan t. D oh n ke a n d B lu m e ( 1986) m ade a ch em ica l a n aly s is o f s e v e n teen

B ang lade s h s o ils a nd fo un d tha t a ll t he s oils w e re de ficient in ni troge n c ont ent ( 0. 03

to 0.21% ). N u trition al s tat us of B an g lade s h s oils va ries gr eat ly . Tot al N itroge n r an ge d

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10 | P a g e

fro m 0. 04 t o 0 .42% ( R ahm an , 1988) . B an g lade s h R ice R e s earch I ns tit u te ( 1986)

repor ted s oil t es t v a lu es o f r ice s oils o v er a w ide agr o -ecolog ical c on dition . T h e

repor ted r elie v ed t h at th e r an ge s o f N w ere 0. 06 to 0 .26% . P or tch a n d Is lam ( 1984)

repor ted t ha t 10 0% s oils o f B ang lade s h c ont aine d N be lo w critical le ve l.

2.6.4. Phosphorus (P)

P h o s ph o r us , a lon g w ith nitroge n a n d pot as s iu m, i s c las s ified as t h e ma jor n ut rien t

e lem ent . P ho s ph o r us is ge ne rally c ons ide red s econd m o s t lim iting crop nut rie nt a fter

N itroge n . It is on e of t h e m ajor con s tra in ts for s uc ces s ful pr oduc tion of up lan d crops

in B an g lade s h ( Is lam , 1983) . P h o s ph o r us occu rs in m o s t pl ant s , ho w e ve r, in qua nt itie s

ar e m u ch s m aller t h an t h o s e of ni troge n a n d pot as s iu m ( Tis da le et al., 1995 ).

B hu iya n ( 1988) o bs erve d tha t the a va ilable p ho s ph o r us o f d iffere nt s oil s erie s o f

B an g lade s h r a n ge d fro m 2. 2 to 14 ppm w ith a m ean v a lue of 12. 2 pp m . P or tch a n d

Is lam ( 1984) r epor ted th at 41 % s oils o f B an g lade s h c on tain ed P b e lo w c ritical le v e l

an d 35% b elo w o p tim u m le ve l. T h e y a ls o r epor ted th at s oil t es t av er age an d ran ge

v a lue s fo r P w e re 12 .8 a n d 5 to 23 ppm r e s pe ctiv e ly . Talat i et al. (1975) s tated t h at

av a ilable p h o s ph o r us w as fo un d differ e n t at di ffer e n t locat ion s a n d at di ffer e n t

pr ofile s . G odfre y a n d R iecke n ( 1954) ob s erve d t h at tot al P w a s fo un d t o de creas e in

th e pr ofile. T h e y co nc lud ed th at a de fin ite r e lat ion s hip e xi s ted b et w ee n qua nt it y a nd

dis trib ut ion of P a n d s tage of pr ofile de ve lopm en t.

2.6.5. Potassium (K)

P ot as s iu m p la y s a vi ta l r ole in t h e upt ake of ot h er n ut rie n t elem en ts s uc h as C a, N an d

P ; s inc e t h er e is a clo s e r e lat ion s hip b et w een po tas s iu m a n d o th er n ut rie n t elem en ts

(K u la n di a n d M anicka n , 1975) . Th e a v a ilab ilit y of pot as s iu m de pe n ds o n pr im ar y

m ine rals , s eco n da r y c la y m ine rals , o rga nic m at ter, p ot as s ic fer tilizer et c. pr es en t i n

th e s oil. C on tin uo us c roppi n g w ith o ut p ot as s iu m a ppl ication w a s fo un d t o de creas e

th e c on ten t of av a ilable pot as s iu m appr ec iabl y a n d in crea s es t h e influe n ce o f

pot as s iu m pr ogr es s ive ly ( G h o s h a n d B is w a s , 1978) .

B rar a n d S ekh on ( 1985) s t udi ed five b e n chm ark s oil s erie s o f t h e a llu vi a l be lt in

P unj ab , H ar y a na a n d U ttar P rade s h . T h e y de ter m ine d res er v e K le ve l in s o il an d

dis cus s ed in r e lat ion t o or ga nic car b on , c la y a n d tex t ur e. 75% s oils o f B an g lade s h

con tained po tas s iu m b e lo w c ritical lev e l a n d 17 % b elo w o p timu m lev e l (P o rtch a nd

Is lam , 1984) . T h e a v a ilabilit y o f pot as s iu m c on ten t w a s m o re at lo w er de pt h t h an in

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11 | P a g e

th e s ur face la y e r ( G h elani, 1985) . T h e m ag nit u de of t h e e x ch an ge able pot as s iu m

v a lue s gr eat ly d iffer ed fro m p lace t o place w ithin a s h o rt dis tan ce as s oil pa ttern w as

us ua lly a co m p le x m o s aic ch ar act er is tic o f de lta r eg ion ( K ar im et al., 1980) .

Is lam et al. (1974) w o rke d w ith s o ils o f B an g lade s h a n d fo un d t h at o n a n a v erage

ab o ut 0. 51 % of t ot al pot as s iu m o f B an g lade s h s oils w a s in e x cha n ge able form a n d a

v er y ne gligible a m oun t of 0. 05% w as in w a ter s olubl e for m .

P ot as s iu m is t h e t hird m ajor n ut rien t el em en t de ficien t in m o s t o f o ur s o ils .

P revi o us ly , t h er e w as a ge ne ral im pr es s io n t h at B an g lade s h s o ils ha v e s u fficien t

pot as s iu m a n d th er e is n o n eed for any po tas h fer tilizer app licat ion . H o w ev er , due t o

in te n s ificat ion o f agr icu lt ur e in r ece n t y ear s , a w ell-s pr ead res po n s e t o add p ot as h h a s

be e n o bs er ve d (Is lam et al., 1985) . A hm ed et al. (1973) w o rke d w ith t w o s oils o f

B an g lade s h a n d repo rted th at p ot as s iu m fixa tion w as m in im al at th e s ur face la y er o f

n e w a llu vi u m s o il. T h e y a lso ob s er v ed th at th e in ten s it y o f pot as s iu m fixa tion

pr og res s iv e ly inc reas ed w ith t im e an d direct ly r e lat ed w ith t h e a m o un t of cla y in t h e

s oil.

2.6.6. Sulphur (S)

S u lp hur is e s s e nt ial fo r t he no dul ation in legu m e s . I t i s fo un d to pla y a r ole in t he

de ve lop m ent of c hlorophy ll ( K u la n da i et al., 1975) . S ul p h ur m a y h a v e t o b e

co n s ide red as t h e s eco n d m o s t im po rtan t el em en t in B an g lade s h s o il. S u lp h ur

de ficien cy in B an g lade s h s o il is be co m in g w ide s pr ead a n d a cut e ( Is lam , 1983) .

H us sa in et al. (1992) r epor ted a v a ilab le S u lp h ur in t h e G an ge s t ida l flood p lain s o ils

ran ge s fro m 23 to 45 ppm s inc e s o m e o f t h e s e s o ils h a v e free s a lts like s odiu m s u lfat e.

It is t h erefore , unl ike ly t ha t th es e s o ils w ill be de ficien t in a va ilable S u lp h ur . A s

em ba nk m ent s ha ve be e n c ons tr uc ted on a ll s ide s o f B h o la, r iv er w at er i s hinde red

fro m en ter in g th es e ar eas . M or eo v er , flu s hing an d floodin g of t h es e s oils t ake s pl ace

w ith r a in w a ter. S ul p hur de ficienc y t he refore m a y appe ar in t he long r un

Jahir udd in et al. ( 1981) rep o rted S ul p h ur de ficienc y in s o me r ice s o ils o f B an g lade s h ,

occur rin g ge ne rally o n s u bm erge d s o il. S ugge s ting S u lp h ur de ficienc y t h e a ut h o r

co m m en ted th at in creas e in rice y ie ld a s a r es u lt of S u lp h ur app licat ion w as at trib ut ed

m ain ly t o the cor rection o f S u lp hur de ficienc y in s oil. H o s s a in ( 1978) a n aly z ed a large

n u mbe r o f s oils fro m farme r 's field in B R R I pr oject a rea a n d fo un d th at th e a v a ilable

S u lp h ur c on ten t w a s b e lo w 10 pp m . Is lam ( 1977) r epor ted th at th e a de qua te S u lp h ur

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12 | P a g e

pr es ent in t he s oil w a s no t a va ilable t o plant s be caus e o f r educ tion o f s u lp h at e to

s u lp hide .

2.6.7. Sodium (Na)

Sodiu m p la y s a vi ta l r o le in t h e s oil p hy s ical pr ope rties be caus e o f its hy drat ed radiu s .

If hig h a m o u n t o f N a pr es en ts in th e s o il, it d is r upt s s o il s tr uc t u re an d lo w er t h e

hy drau lic co n duc tiv it y o f s o il. B ut pr e s en ce o f hi g h a m o un t o f C a a n d M g r educ e

s uc h e ffects ( E m ars on , 1984) . K ha n et al. (1998 ) fo u nd the a m o un t o f e xc ha ng eable

N a in a ll t h e s o ils o f floodpl ains o f B an g lade s h v a ried fro m 0. 38 t o 1. 58 m e/100g s o il

an d t h e gr an d m ean v a lue w a s 0. 99 m e/100g s oil. T h e v a lue s o f e x ch an g eable N a

w ere in ge n eral, hi g h in a ll s o il pr ofiles .

2.6.8. Organic carbon (C)

A ll t h e phy s ica l a n d ch em ica l pr ope rties d irect ly o r i n direct ly r e late d w ith th e s oil

o rga nic m atter. H us s a in ( 1992) r ep o rted th at b ot h o rga nic c arb on a n d t ot al ni troge n

cont ent s i n t he m ine ral w e t l and s o ils in B ang lade s h w ere l o w . B h u iy a n ( 1988)

an aly z ed s o m e s am p le s o f B an g lade s h s o il a n d fo un d th at th e o rga nic m at ter p er cen t

of d iffere n t s oil s erie s o f B an g lades h r a n ge d from 0. 86 t o 4. 47 , m ean v a lue b e ing

1. 89% . O rga nic car b on is lo w in a ll t h e s o il a n d s h o w s a gr adua l de creas e w ith de pt h .

Th e o rga nic car b on co n ten t in t h es e s o ils is m o re or le s s t h e s am e as t h at fo un d in

ot h er a llu vi a l s o il o f B an g lade s h ( B ramme r, 1971) .

2.6.9. C/N ratio

Th e f ertilit y s tat us a n d th e pr oduc tivi t y o f t h e s oil de pe n ds o n C /N r atio . O rga nic

m at er ials w ith a C /N r at io gr ea ter th an 30 e n s ur e im m o bilizat ion o f nitroge n dur in g

th e initial de co m po s ition pr oces s . R at es be tw een 20 an d 30 s ee m t o b e o p tim al for

de co m po s ition . Wh en m at er ials w ith a w ide C /N r atio ( 70: 1) like w h eat s traw , c o rn

s talk s o r s aw dus t l o w in ni troge n ar e adde d to th e s oil, im m o biliz at ion ex ceed s

m ine ralizat ion an d th e n et effect i s t h e d is app ear an ce o f m ine ral nitroge n . Wi th

car b on ac eo us m at er ials o f n ar ro w C /N r atio ( 15: 1) as i n a lfalfa, s o y be an a n d ot h er

legu m e s , m ine raliz at ion e x ce eds im m o bilizat ion ( B is w as a n d M uk h er jee, 1994) .

2.6.10. Texture

Th e t er m t ex t ur e r efer s t o th e s ize r an ge o f pa rticle s in t h e s oil. A s s uc h , t h e ter m

carries bot h qua litative a nd qua nt itative c onno tations . Q ua litative ly, it r epr es ent s the

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13 | P a g e

fee l o f t h e s o il m at er ial, w h et h er co ar s e an d gr itt y or fine a n d s m oo th . In qua n tita tive

s e n s e, s o il t ex t ur e de n ot es t h e m eas ur ed dis trib ut ion o f pa rticle s izes o r th e

pr op or tions o f t h e v ario us s iz e r a n ge s o f pa rticle s w hich o ccur in a g ive n s o il. T h e

traditiona l me th od of c h aracteriz ing pa rticle s iz e s in s o ils is t o divi de t h e ar ra y o f

po s s ible pa rticle s iz es in to th ree co n v e nie n tly s epa rabl e s ize r a n ge s , na m ely , s a n d, s ilt

an d cla y . T h e o v er all t ex t ur al de s ig na tion o f a s oil, ca lled th e t ex t ur al c las s ( H illel,

1980) . S oil t e x t ur e is o n e of t h e m o s t fu n da m en tal a n d pe rm ane n t ch ar act er is tics t h at

influ e n ces p hy s ico -che m ical b e h a vi o r o f s o il. T h ree b road gr o ups of t ex t ur al c las s es

ar e r eco gni zed: s a n dy s o ils , c la y e y s o ils a n d loam y s o ils . Wi thin eac h gr o up, s pe cific

tex t ur al c la s s n am es co nv e y a n ide a o f t h e s ize di s trib ut ion o f pa rticles a n d in dicat e

th e n at ur e of phy s ical pr ope rties ( B rady a n d W eil, 2002) .

Materials and Methods

14 | P a g e

Chapter-3

3. Materials and Methods

A s t ud y w as co n duc ted to ev a lu at e th e n ut rie n t s tat us of s om e s o ils o f G an ge s r ive r

floodplain ar ea in t h e s o ut h - w es ter n r egi on o f B ang lade s h .

3.1. Study area

Th e s am p le s w er e c ollect ed fro m d iffer e n t locat ion s of Jes s o re an d K h u lna d is trict

(Table 3. 1) .

Table 3. 1. G en eral in for m a tion of s am pling s ites

Sample No. GPS Reading Address Physiography Soil Series

1 N : 23º 07 .647 ́E : 89º 15. 824 ́

V illage : S ha b ati U n ion : Ra m na ga r

Th ana : K otw ali Di st rict: Jesso re

G an ge s m eande r floo dpl ain

Sa ra

2 N : 23º 07 .669 ́E : 89º 15. 903 ́

V illage : S ha b ati U n ion : Ra m na ga r



M irpu r

3, 4,5, 6 ,7 ,8 N : 23º 12 .085 ́E : 89º 13. 009 ́

V illage : Ba ha du rpur U n ion : N oa pa ra Th ana : K otw ali Di st rict: Jesso re


Sa ra

9 N : 23º 13 .323 ́E : 89º 13. 753 ́

V illage : Ba ha du rpur U n ion : N oa pa ra Th ana : K otw ali Di st rict: Jesso re


Ish u rdi

10 N : 23º 15 .399 ́E : 89º 14. 161 ́

V illage : N on go rpu r U n ion : Es aa li



M irpu r

11 N : 23º 17 .778 ́E : 89º 16. 963 ́

V illage : S adip u r U n ion : Ba n da billa Th ana : B agh erpa ra

Di st rict: Jesso re


A m jh up i

12, 13 ,14 N : 23º 18 .676 ́E : 89º 18. 038 ́

V illage : G aith gha t U n ion : Ba n da billa Th ana : B agh erpa ra



A m jh up i

15 N : 22º 59 .420 ́E : 89º 26. 195 ́

V illage : Ju g n ipas a U nion: B ejer da ng a

Th ana : P h u ltala D is tr ict: K h u lna


A m jh up i

16 N : 22º 59 .413 ́E : 89º 26. 186 ́

V illage : G aith gha t U nion: Ba n da billa Th ana : B agh erpa ra



Ish u rdi


15 | P a g e

Fig. 3. 1. Sa m plin g si tes a t Jesso re sa da r


16 | P a g e

Fig. 3. 2. S am pling s ites a t P h ul tala in K h u lna


17 | P a g e

Fig. 3. 3. Sa m plin g si tes a t B agh erp ara in Jesso re

3.2. Geology and land form

Th e lan d t y pe of t h e s t ud y a rea w a s m edium high lan d an d m edium low lan d. T he

phy s iogr ap hy w a s G an ge s -m ean de r floodp lain . T h e pa re n t m at er ial o f s t ud ied ar ea

w a s G an ge s s ilt.


18 | P a g e

3.3. Collection of soil samples

A t ot al o f s ix tee n s o il s am p les w er e co llected for lab o rat or y a n aly s es . R epr es e n tat iv e

s oil s am p les w er e co llect ed from s ur face o nly . T h e s am p le s w er e pl aced in p las tic

ba g s .

3.4. Processing of Soil Samples

Th e co llect ed s oil s am p les w er e dr ied in a ir by s p read in g on s epa rat e s h eet of pa pe rs

after i t w as t ran s po rted to th e lab o rato r y . A fter dr y ing in a ir, t h e lar ge r aggr ega tes

w e re br oke n ge nt ly by cr us hing it in a w oode n ha m m er. A po rtion o f t he cr us he d s o ils

w as pa s s ed th ro ugh a 2. 0 m m s ie ve . T h e s ie v ed s oils w er e t h e n pr es er v ed in p las tic

b ag an d lab eled pr ope rly . T h es e w er e l at er us ed for v ar io us ch em ica l an aly s e s . T h e

ch em ical an aly s e s w er e car ried o ut o n t h es e co llec ted s oil s am p les in th e lab o rat or y o f

th e S oil Scien ce d iscip line in K h u lna U ni ve rs it y .

3.5. Soil Analysis

D iffer e n t pa ram et er s of s o il w er e an aly z ed by fo llo w in g th e av a ilable pr ocedur es .

3.5.1. Soil pH

Soil pH ( 1: 2. 5) w as de ter m ine d e lect roch em ica lly w ith t h e h e lp of g las s e lect rode pH

m eter a s s ugge s ted by J ack s on ( 1973) . Th e r atio o f s o il t o w at er w as 1: 2 .5 a s

s ugge s ted by Jacks on ( 1962) .


Th e e lect rical co n du ctivi t y o f t h e s o il w as m ea s ur ed w ith t h e h e lp o f E C m et er

(U SD A , 2004) .

3.5.3. Organic carbon (C)

O rga nic car b on o f s am p le s w as de ter m ine d by W alkle y a n d B lack’ s w e t o x idation

m eth od a s o u tline d by Jacks on ( 1962) . O rga nic m atter w a s c alcu lated by m u ltip lyi ng

the pe rcent va lue o f o rga nic carbo n w ith t he conve nt iona l V an -B emme lene ’ s facto r o f

1. 724 ( P ip er, 1950) .

3.5.4. Total nitrogen (N)


19 | P a g e

Tot al ni troge n o f t h e s oils w as de ter m ine d by M icro-K jeldahl ’ s me th od (Fig. 3. 4 a nd

Fig. 3. 5) fo llo w ing H 2SO 4 acid d ige s tion a s s ugge s ted by Jacks on ( 1967) .

Fig. 3. 4. D ige s tion ch amb er for nitroge n de termi na tion

Fig. 3. 5. D istillation u ni t for n itroge n de term ina tion

3.5.5. Available Phosphorus (P)


20 | P a g e

A v ailable P h o s p h o r us w as ex tracted from t h e s oil w ith 0. 5 M Na HC O 3 (O lse n

M eth od) at pH 8.5 ( Jacks on , 1967) a n d P w a s de term ine d by a s co rbic a cid bl u e colo ur

m eth od ( M ur phy a n d R ile y , 1962) .

3.5.6. Available Sulphur (S)

A v ailable S u lp h ur co n ten t w as de ter m ine d by t ur bidim et ric m et h od as de s crib ed b y

(Jacks on , 1973) .

3.5.7. Available Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K)

Th e a v a ilable N a a n d K w er e de ter m ine d from N H 4O A c ( pH 7. 0) ex tract as de s cribe d

by J ack s on ( 1967) . Th e ex trac t w as an aly z ed fo r av a ilable K a n d N a by a flam e

an aly z e r a t 589 a n d 767 nm r e s pe ctiv e ly ( Jacks on , 1967) .

3.5.8. Carbon/Nitrogen (C/N) ratio

Th e car b on /nitroge n r at io w as ca lcu lat ed from th e ni troge n an d co rrected car b on

pe rcen tage s .

3.5.9. Particle size analysis

Th e pa rticle s ize a n aly s is o f t h e s o ils w as car ried o u t by co m bina tion o f s ie vi ng an d

hy dro m eter m eth od a s de s crib ed by G e e a n d B a ude r ( 1986) . T e x t ur al c las s e s w e re

de term ine d us ing M ars h all’ s Trian gu lar C oo rdin ato r s y s te m .

Results and Discussion

21 | P a g e

Chapter-4

4. Results and Discussion

Th e r es u lts o b tain ed from field ob s er v at ion an d lab o rat or y a n aly s is w er e d is cus s ed in r e lat ion

to pr es en t con dition a n d po s s ibilities o f t h e s t ud y ar ea.

4.1. Studied properties

D iffere n t pr ope rtie s o f inve s tiga ted s oils w e re s t udi ed a n d e v a lua ted t o ge t b etter

m an age m en t pr ocedur es fo r th e s t udi ed ar ea s .

4.1.1. Soil reaction (pH)

Th e pH o f th e s oils u n de r s t udy v aried from 6. 53 -7. 85 i n dicat in g th e s o ils ar e n eut ral t o

s ligh tly a lka line . Th e hi g h es t pH v a lue w as fo un d in s o ils o f Is h ur di s er ies locat ed at N oapa ra

in Je s s o re an d th e lo w es t w as f o un d in s o ils o f A m jhup i s er ie s locat ed at B an da billa in

Jes s o re ( Tabl e 3. 1, 4 .1 an d 4. 3) . T his is a c om m on feat ur e of th e G an ge s m ea n de r s oils o f

B an g lade s h ( B ram m er, 1971) . This m a y b e due t o t h e pr e s enc e o f lo w e x ch an ge able ba s e s in

th e s ur face s o il. T h e a lm o s t equa l r a n ge o f pH in a ll t h e s o il s er ies is pr ob abl y due t o th e

e xi s te n ce o f s tron g b u fferin g s y s te m s . ( M cC on chie , 1990) . Th e pH v a lue s o f s o ils w e re

s ig nifica n tly ne ga tiv e ly co rre lat ed w ith p h o s ph o r us , p ot as s iu m a n d car b on ( Tabl e 4. 2) .


Th e E C v a lue o f s t ud ied s o ils v aried fro m 0. 47 to 1. 29 dS m -1 w ith a n a v erage o f 0. 77 dS m -1

(Tabl e 4. 3) . Th es e r es u lts in dicat e th at all t h e s o ils of t h e s t udy ar ea w er e n on s aline . This m a y

b e due t o th e lan d t y pe o f o ur inv es tiga ted ar eas w hich w er e o ut of t ida l ingr es s io n o r any

ot he r s or t of input s o f s a lts . T he hig he s t va lue o f E C w a s o bt ain ed in s o ils o f Is h ur di s erie s

de v e lope d in G aith g ha t, Jes s o re an d th e l o w es t w as at s oils o f A m jhup i s er ies in t h e s am e

locat ion ( Tabl e 3. 1 an d Tabl e 4. 1) . T h e E C v a lu es w er e s ig nifica n tly po s itiv e ly co rrelat ed

w ith s odiu m ( Table 4. 2) .

4.1.3. Total nitrogen (N)

Th e t ot al ni troge n co n ten t of s oil s am p le s v ar ied from 0. 03% to 0. 18 % w ith a n av er age o f

0. 11% ( Table 4. 3) in dicatin g t h e lo w n ut rie n t c on ten t ( B A R C , 2005) . T h e hi g h e s t v a lue o f

nitroge n w as o b tain ed in s oils o f S ar a s er ie s and th e l o w es t w as a t s oils o f M irpur s eries

(Table 3. 1 a n d T able 4. 1) . Th e N v a lue s w e re s tron gly po s itiv e ly c o rre lated w ith S u lp h ur

(Table 4. 2) .


22 | P a g e

Table 4. 1. D ifferen t ch emic al p rope rties of s tudi ed s oils

Samp le N o.

pH EC

(dS m -1 ) N

(%) P

(µg g -1 ) K

(Cm olckg -1 ) S

(µg g -1 ) Na

(Cm olckg -1 ) O rgan ic

ma tte r (% ) C/ N

1 7. 73 1. 05 0. 18 55.14 0. 189 22.60 0. 183 1. 75 5. 61

2 7. 80 0. 67 0. 03 68.92 0. 171 12.16 0. 044 0. 61 11. 67

3 7. 79 0. 66 0. 18 64.61 0. 193 13.38 0. 032 0. 87 5. 61

4 7. 51 0. 55 0. 18 73.23 0. 178 15.81 0. 063 1. 44 5. 61

5 7. 71 0. 81 0. 18 130.09 0. 122 18.25 0. 025 1. 16 5. 61

6 7. 53 0. 62 0. 18 73.23 0. 148 14.60 0. 013 1. 44 5. 61

7 7. 45 0. 53 0. 18 80.12 0. 141 9.73 0. 006 0. 93 5. 61

8 7. 62 0. 62 0. 18 151.62 0. 275 14.60 0. 057 1. 16 5. 61

9 7. 85 0. 90 0. 08 180.05 0. 186 14.60 0. 038 2. 47 20. 50

10 6. 70 0. 53 0. 03 507.42 0. 230 10.95 0. 076 2. 28 11. 67

11 7. 12 0. 88 0. 06 260.17 0. 538 19.46 0. 126 2. 01 24. 83

12 6. 53 0. 47 0. 06 258.45 0. 542 20.68 0. 126 2. 44 24. 83

13 6. 65 0. 69 0. 06 121.90 0. 379 18.25 0. 202 2. 44 24. 83

14 7. 60 1. 03 0. 06 218.82 0. 538 18.25 0. 215 1. 67 24. 83

15 7. 32 1. 07 0. 06 136.12 0. 416 19.46 0. 353 2. 57 24. 83

16 7. 39 1. 29 0. 08 134.39 0. 482 8.51 0. 265 2. 83 20. 50


23 | P a g e

M o s t of t h e s oils a re de ficien t in N . D epa rtm en t of s o il s ur ve y ( 1979) r epo rted th at G an ge s -

m eande r s o ils cont ain a bo ut 0. 05 -0. 5% N , w hich is s im ilar t o o ur f indings .

4.1.4. Available phosphorus

P ho s ph o r us c on tent of s oil s am p le s va ried be tw een 55. 1 µg g -1 to 507 .4 µ g g -1 w ith a n

a v erage o f 157. 1 µ g g -1 (Table 4. 3) , w hich ind ica tes ve r y hi g h le ve l o f P ho s p ho r us ( B A R C ,

2005) . T h e hi g h e s t v a lue o f ph o s p h o r us w a s ob tain ed in s o ils o f M irpur s eries de ve lope d in

Ichh ali, Jes s o re an d th e lo w es t w as at s oils o f S ar a s er ie s in R am na ga r, Jes s o re ( Tabl e 3. 1 an d

Tabl e 4. 1) . Th e P v a lue s w er e s ig nifica n tly p o s itiv e ly co rrelat ed w ith C /N r at io an d

n ega tiv e ly co rrelat ed w ith pH v a lue s ( Tabl e 4. 2) . L ike a v a ilable ni troge n , av a ilab le

ph o s ph o r us is a ls o hi g h ne ar t he s ur face. B hu iya n ( 1988) o bs erve d tha t the a va ilable

ph o s ph o r us o f d iffere n t s oil s eries o f B an g lade s h r a n ge d fro m 2. 2 t o 14 µg g -1 , b ut o ur

find ing s w e re hig he r t ha n t he va lue s o bs er ve d by him . T he ve r y hig h c ont ent o f ph o s p ho r us

m a y b e due t o recen t appl icat ion of p h o s pha te f er tilizer o r any o th er s or t of in put of

ph o s ph o r us . N e ut ra l t o s lig h tly a lkaline pH a n d lo w o rga nic m atter c on ten t of o ur s t udi ed

s oils m a y a ls o w er e th e ke y factor s to inc reas e t h e av a ilabilit y o f p h o s ph o r us .

4.1.5. Available potassium (K)

Th e po tas s iu m co n ten t o f co llect ed s o il s am p le w as w ithin th e r a n ge o f 0. 122 C m o lckg -1 s o il

to 0. 54 C m olckg -1 s o il w ith a n a ve rage o f 0. 30 C m o lckg -1 s o il ( Table 4. 3) w hich indicates

op tim um le v e l of po tas s ium ( B A R C , 2005) . Th e high e s t v a lue of po tas s ium w a s o bt aine d in

s oils o f A m jhup i s er ie s de v e lope d in B an da billa, Jes s o re an d th e lo w es t w as at s oils o f S ar a

s er ie s in N oapa ra, J es s o re ( Tabl e 3. 1 an d Tabl e 4. 1) . Th e K v a lue s w er e s ig nifican tly

po s itive ly c o rrelated w ith s odiu m a nd carbo n a nd ne ga tive ly c o rrelat ed w ith pH va lu es ( Tabl e

4. 2) . T h e av a ilabilit y o f po tas s iu m de p en ds o n pr im ar y m ine rals , s eco n da r y c la y m ine rals ,

o rga nic m at ter , p ot as s ic fer tiliz er et c. pr es en t in t he s oil. P ot as s iu m is t he t hird m ajor n ut rie n t

elem en t de ficien t i n m o s t of o ur s o ils . P revi o u s ly , t h er e w as a ge n er al im pr es s io n t h at

B an g lade s h s o ils h a v e s u fficien t p ot as s iu m a n d th er e i s n o n eed for any pot as h fer tiliz er

app licat ion . H o w ev er , due to in ten s ificat ion o f agr icu lt ur e in r ecen t y ear s , a w ell s pr ead

res po n s e t o a dd p ot as h h as be e n o b s er ve d (Is lam et al., 1985 ).P ot as s iu m fixa tion w a s

m in im u m at th e s ur face la y er o f n ew a llu vi u m s oil ( A hm ed et al., 1973) . B lack ( 1965)

de m ons trated th at th e hi g h er co n ce n tration o f po tas s iu m in th e s ur fac e la y er in co m pa ris on t o

th e s ubs ur face la y e r m ig h t b e due to th e a ction o f p lan t r oot s in tr an s po rtin g po ta s s iu m to th e

s ur face a n d a ls o a ddition o f c rop r e s idue s . T h e pot as s iu m a v a ilabilit y w a s hig h er in


24 | P a g e

s ubm erge d s o ils t h an in up lan d c o un ter pa rts ( K em m ler 1980) . F in e-te x t ur ed s oils us ua lly

h a v e a hig he r C E C an d ca n h o ld m ore ex ch an ge able pot as s iu m .

4.1.6. Available Sulphur (S)

Th e S ul ph ur con ten ts of s oil s am ple v aried from 8. 51 µg g -1 to 22. 60 µ g g -1 w ith an ave rage

15. 71 µ g g -1 (Table 4. 3) in dicatin g m ediu m con ten t of S u lp h ur ( B A R C , 2005) . Th e hi g h es t

v a lue w a s fo un d at s oils o f S ar a s er ie s in R am na ga r, Jes s o re. an d th e lo w es t w as a t s oils o f

Is h ur di s er ies in B an da billa, Jes s o re ( Tabl e 3. 1 an d Tabl e 4. 1) . T h e S v a lue s w er e s trong ly

po s itiv e ly co rre lated w ith ni troge n ( Table 4. 2) . B hu iya n (1988) s tated tha t t he m ean va lue o f

av a ilable s u lp h ur o f differ e n t s oil s er ie s o f B an g lade s h w as 16. 8 µg g -1 . O ur obs er ve d va lue

w a s a lm o s t s im ilar. M ediu m lev e l o f S ul p h ur mig h t b e due to th e S ul p hur pr e s ent in s oil w a s

n o t a v a ilable t o pl an ts b eca us e o f r educ tion o f s u lp h ate to s ul p hide ( Is lam , 1977) . H igh er

pe rcen tage o f c la y co n ten t ( Tabl e 4. 4) is a ls o r es po n s ible fo r r etaining th e m ajor po rtion o f

S ul ph ur . A ccum ul ation of s o lubl e s ul ph ate co m m only o ccur s in ca lcar eo us h o rizo ns a n d in

im pe r vi o us h o rizo ns w h er e m o is t ur e m o v em en t and leac hing lo s s ar e r es tricted .

4.1.7. Available sodium (Na)

Th e av a ilable s odiu m co n ten t of s oil s am p le w as w ithin t h e r an ge o f 0. 006 C m o lckg -1 s oil t o

0. 353 C m o lckg -1 s o il w ith a n a v erage o f 0. 114 C m olckg -1 s o il (Table 4. 3) in dicating lo w le ve l

of s odiu m ( B A R C , 2005) . Th e hig he s t v a lue w a s fo un d a t s oils o f A m jhup i s eries in P h u lta la,

K h u lna a n d th e l o w es t w as a t s oils o f S ar a s er ies in N oapa ra, Jes s o re ( Tabl e 3. 1 an d Tabl e

4. 1) . Th e N a v a lue s w er e s ig nifica nt ly po s itive ly co rre lated w ith E C , pot as s iu m a nd carbo n

(Tabl e 4. 2) . L o w er con ten t of s o lu ble s a lts a n d n ear n eut ral pH o f s t udi ed s oils a ls o in dicat e

th e unf a v o ur able con ditio n to s odiu m a va ilabilit y .


25 | P a g e

Tab le 4 .2. C or rela tion am on g th e s tu died p aram et ers

pH EC P K S Na C N EC 0.308 0.246 P -0.612 -0.145 0.012 0.593 K -0.525 0.383 0.366 0.037 0.143 0.163 S 0.196 0.308 -0.234 -0.156 0.467 0.246 0.384 0.563 Na -0.289 0.702 0.071 0.694 0.194 0.278 0.002 0.794 0.003 0.472 C -0.572 0.441 0.453 0.611 0.007 0.673 0.021 0.087 0.078 0.012 0.981 0.004 N 0.209 0.388 -0.434 -0.239 0.946 0.105 0.177 0.791 0.612 0.566 0.761 0.054 0.895 0.823 C/N -0.913 0.428 0.969 0.872 -0.764 0.737 0.669 -0.586 0.087 0.572 0.031 0.128 0.236 0.263 0.331 0.414

*C ell C on ten ts : P ea rs on correlat ion

P-Value


26 | P a g e

4.1.8. Organic matter

Th e o rga nic m atter con ten t of s o il s am p le s w a s fo un d t o v ar y fro m 0. 61 % to 2. 83 % w ith a n

a v erage o f 1. 75 % ( Table 4. 3) in dicatin g t h e lo w e r a m o un t o f o rga nic m atter (B A R C , 2005) .

Th e hi g h es t v a lue w as fo un d at s oils o f Is h ur di s er ies in B an da billa, Jes s o re an d th e l o w es t

w as at s oils o f M irpur s er ies in R am na ga r, Jes s o re ( Tabl e 3. 1 an d Table 4. 1) . T h e C v a lue s

w er e s ig nifican tly po s itiv e ly co rrelat ed w ith s odiu m a n d pot as s iu m a n d n eg at ive ly co rre lat ed

w ith pH ( Table 4. 2) . O rga nic m at ter c on ten t of cu ltiv ated s oils in t h e tropics de cline s m o re

rap idly t h an t h at of t em pe rat e r eg ion s ; co ns eque n tly , cu ltiv at ed s o ils in th e t ropics ge n er ally

s h o w lo w or ga nic m atter ( B arth olo m e w , 1972) .

Th e ge n er ally lo w o rga nic m at ter c on ten t i s t h o ugh t to b e due t o its r ap id deco mpo s ition

ca us ed by hig h r a in fall an d t em pe rat ur e con ditions a n d vi go ro us m icrobial a ctivi t y . This lo w

o rga nic m at ter c on ten t i n t h e s oils is du e t o cu ltiva tion . B hu iya n ( 1988) a na lyz ed s om e

s am p les o f B an g lade s h s o il a n d fo u n d th at th e o rga nic m at ter p er cen t of d iffer e n t s oil s er ie s

of B an g lade s h r an ge d fro m 0. 86 t o 4 .47% , m ean v a lue b e ing 1. 89% , w hich is s im ilar t o o ur

find ing s .

Tab le 4 .3. D es criptiv e S ta tis tics

V ariab le M in im um M a xi m um M ean M edian St . De v .

pH 6. 53 7. 85 7. 39 7. 52 0. 43

E C ( dS /m ) 0. 47 1. 29 0. 77 0. 68 0. 24

N (%) 0. 03 0. 18 0. 11 0. 08 0. 06

P (µg g -1 ) 55. 1 507. 4 157. 1 132. 2 114. 8

K (Cm olckg -1 ) 0. 12 0. 54 0. 30 0. 21 0. 16

S (µg g -1 ) 8. 51 22. 60 15. 71 15. 21 4. 10

N a ( Cm olckg -1 ) 0. 006 0. 353 0. 114 0. 07 0. 10

O rgan ic m a tter (%) 0. 61 2. 83 1. 75 1. 71 0. 70

C/ N 5. 61 24. 83 14. 23 11. 67 8. 85

4.1.9. C/N ratio

Th e C /N r atio of th e s am p le s v aried f ro m 5. 61 to 24 .83 w ith a n a v erage v a lue o f 14. 23,

ind icatin g th e m or e or le s s s table con dition of de com po s ition . Th e hi g h es t v a lu e w as fo un d at

so ils o f A m jhup i se ries in B an da billa, Je s so re a n d th e lo w e st w a s a t so ils o f S ara se rie s in

R am na ga r, Jes s o re ( Tabl e 3. 1 an d Tabl e 4. 1) . C /N r atio w as s tron g ly po s itive ly co rre lat ed

w ith p h o s ph o r us an d n ega tiv e ly co rrelat ed w ith pH ( Table 4. 2) . C /N r atio is o n e o f t h e fact o rs


27 | P a g e

th at influe n ce t h e a ctivi t y o f m icroorga nis m s . D ur ing de co m po s ition o f o rga nic m aterials by

s o il o rga nis m s , m ine raliz at ion an d im m o bilizat ion o f c ar b on a n d nitroge n t ake pl ace. Wi th

th e pa s s age o f t im e, th e r ate of m ine ralizat ion o f car b on a lm o s t equa ls t h at of ni troge n , th e

re s u lts be ing ne ar cons tanc y o f C /N r atio in t he vi cinit y 10 to12, w hich is a n ind ication o f t he

fo rm ation o f s table pr oduc ts un de r th e p re v a ilin g e nvi ronm en t (B is w a s a n d M uk h erjee ,

1 994) . D ris ke ll ( 1954) s tated th at th e C /N r at io o f t h e d iffer e n t s oil s er ies in t he lo w er

M is s is s ipp i floodp lain v aried de pe n ding upo n t h e s o ur ce of m aterial. M u ller ( 1958) s h o w ed

an irregu lar d is tribut ion pa ttern o f C /N r atio t hr o ug h t he pr ofile .

4.1.10. Texture

Th e t ex t ur e of t h e s am p les v ar ied fro m s ilt lo am t o s ilt y cla y ( Tabl e 4. 4) . T his r es u lt

res em ble s t o s ev er al find ings by m any ot h er r es ea rch er s . SR D I s taff ( 1965 -86) fo un d th at o n

th e y o un g G an ge s m ean de r floodp lain , s o ils o f r idge s a n d in ter-ridg es de pr es s io ns ar e s ilt

loam t o s ilt y c la y ; a n d o n th e o ld G an ge s m ean de r floodplain , s oils o f r idge s a n d de pr es s io n s

are loam y t o c la y in t e x t ur e . Th e y fo un d t h at m o s t r idge s oils in o ld B rahm aput ra floodplain

are s ilt lo am t o s ilty c la y loam an d in in ter-ridge de pr es s ion s th e y are mo s tly s ilty c la y lo a m

to s ilt y c la y s u b s o il. G oel a n d A g arw a l ( 1959) repor ted th at s an d po rtion s o f t w o

n on res po ns ive s oils o f K an pur G an g et ic a llu vi u m w er e hi g h at th e s ur face a n d only v er y

s ligh t illu vi ation o f c lay w a s vi s ible. Th e s o ils e xhi b ited con s iderable illu vi ation o f c lay fro m

s ur face do w n w ard. Jo s h u a n d R ahm an ( 1983) fo un d t h at t h e s oils o f t h e T is ta floodplain , in

ge n er al, co n taine d a hi g h pe rce n tage o f s ilt a n d this pr ope rt y appe ar s t o b e ch ar act er is tic for

th e floodp lain.

4.2. Agricultural status of the studied areas

Th e K h u lna D iv is io n o ccup ies a t ot al lan d ar ea o f 22, 283 km 2 co v er ing G an g es r iv er

floodplain , G an ge s Tida l floodp lain , pe at b as ins a n d S u n da rb an s . O ut o f t h e t ot al a rea o f 2. 2

m ha ab o ut 1 .4 m ha co n s tit u tin g 51% ar ea h a s r e lat iv e ly hig h po ten tial fo r agr icu lt ur a l

de ve lop m ent (R econna is s a nc e S oil S ur ve y, 1973 -77) . L an ds ar e us ed for agr icu lt ur e, fo res t

and live s tock gr a z ing thr o ugh o ut the y e ar. F is hing and in du s trializ a tion are a lso ma jor

act ivi ties in t his zo n e. R ice, m ain ly t ran s p lan ted am an a n d b roadc as t aus , is by far t h e m o s t

ex tens ive cr op gr o w n in t h e s t ud ied ar ea s . Whe at , kh e s ar i, m us tar d, b ar le y , pot atoes et c. a re

th e m ain rabi cr ops . R abi an d kh ar if ve ge tabl es s u ch as b rin jals , pot ato , cab b ag e, s p in ac h , r ed

am ar an th us , lad ie s f inge r, cabb age , cau liflo w er , tom at o etc. ar e g ro w n o n m anm ade lan d,

hig hlan d r idg e s a n d h o m e s tead ar eas . A us o r jut e o r til fo llo w ed by r a bi cr ops ar e th e m ajor


28 | P a g e

croppi n g pr actices of n on floode d s oils . In term itten t or s h allow ly floode d s oils a re m ainl y

us ed for a us o r til o r jut e fo llo w ed by t ran s p lan ted a m an a n d s om etim e s fo llo w ed by ra b i

crops . M ix ed b roadcas t a us a n d a m an fo llo w ed by r a bi c rops o r f allo w is t h e pr in cipa l

croppi n g pr actice o f m ediu m lo w lan d ( Table 4. 4 a n d 4. 5) .

Table 4. 4. Text ur e a nd croppi n g pa ttern of s tud y a rea

Sample No.

%Sand %Silt %Clay Texture Cropping Pattern

1 20 57 23 Silt Lo am B or o-Fallow -T.ama n

2 21 59 20 Silt Lo am Ca ul iflow er/P um pk in /Sp ina ch -Ri ce

3 20 55 25 Silt Lo am L en til/O n ion -Jut e-T. A ma n

4 16 64 21 Silt Lo am Ve ge tab les/ Mus ta rd-Fallow -T. A ma n

5 19 56 25 Silt Lo am B rinjal/M us ta rd-Fallow -T. A ma n

6 23 54 23 Silt Lo am Wh ea t-Jut e-T. Am an

7 20 56 24 Silt Lo am Mus tard-Fallow -T. A ma n

8 21 58 21 Silt Lo am Wh ea t-Fa llow -T. A ma n

9 9 50 41 Silty C lay B or o-Fallow -T. A ma n

10 18 59 23 Silt Lo am A m ara n thus -C abba ge -P otato

11 11 41 48 Silty C lay Ri ce- Fallow -C olocassi a -

12 12 41 47 Silty C lay Be an -Fallow -T A ma n

13 13 61 26 Silty C lay Le n til-Fallow -T A ma n

14 13 64 23 Silty C lay K h es ar i-Fallow -T A ma n

15 21 45 34 Silty C lay B or o-Jut e-T.am an

16 12 40 48 Silty C lay Wh ea t-D ha in cha -T.ama n

4.3. Comparative study of fertility in respect of agricultural status

Th e s oils o f fo ur s t udi ed s erie s ( A m jhup i, I s h ur di, M irpur , S ara) c on tain lo w to m ode rate

am o un t of n ut rie n t ( Table 4. 5) .


29 | P a g e

4.3.1. Amjhupi

C om m o n cr ops ar e rice , be an, le nt il a nd khe s ari. Th e a m o un t of ni troge n pr es en t is lo w er

tha n t ha t r equ ired for opt im u m c rop yi e ld. P ho s ph o r us a nd po tas s iu m a re pr e s e nt in hig he r

am oun t. A m oun t of S ul ph ur is s ligh tly low er t h an op tim um a m oun t. N itroge n a n d S ul ph ur

fer tilizer m u s t b e app lied for b et ter y ie ld (Table 4. 5) .

4.3.2. Ishurdi

R ice is t h e m o s t av a ilable cr op. N itroge n an d S u lp h ur co n ten t is ve r y lo w er th an t h at requi red

for o pt im u m crop gr o w th. P ho s ph o r us a nd pot as s iu m a re pr e s e nt i n hi g he r a m o un t. S o

nitroge n an d S u lp h ur fer tilizer s h o ul d b e app lied (Table 4. 5) .

4.3.3. Mirpur

A v ailable cr ops ar e p ot ato , cabb age , s p ina ch a n d red am ar an th us . Th e a m oun t of nitroge n a n d

S ul ph ur pr e s en t is low er th an t h at r equi red for op tim um c on dition . A m oun t of pot as s ium is

s lig ht ly lo w er t ha n o pt im u m c ont ent . P ho s ph o r us is pr e s e nt i n hig he r a m o un t. N itroge n ,

S u lp h ur an d pot as s iu m co n taining fer tilizer s h o u ld b e app lied for de s ired crop gr o w th (Table

4. 5) .

4.3.4. Sara

C om m o n cr ops ar e rice , jut e , w h eat, mus tard, le nt il, o nion a n d b rin jal. N itroge n , p ot as s iu m

an d S u lp h ur a ll ar e pr es en t in lo w er a m o u nt . O nl y p ho s p ho r us i s pr e s ent in hig he r a m o un t.

N itroge n o us , p ot as h an d s u lfat e fer tilizer s h o u ld b e app lied for b et ter y ie ld (Tabl e 4. 5) .

4.4. Future prospects

Tradition al lan d us e pr ogr am m es ar e pr ev a iling i n K h u lna r eg ion like ot h er pa rts of th e

co un tr y . Th e m ain r ea s on is t h at th e pe ople h er e ha v e b e e n little s uppo rted by t h e go v er nm en t

w ith s cien tific gu ide line s . A gr icu lt ur e i s t h e b ackb on e o f B an g lad es h eco n om y . It acco un ts

fo r a b o ut 32 pe rcen t (M O A , 1997) of G ro s s D om es tic P roduc t ( G D P ), e m p lo yi ng s om e 60%

of t h e lab o ur fo rces an d acco un tin g fo r 60% of expo rt ear nin gs . S o ag ricu lt ur e w ill co n tin ue

to b e t h e dr ivi ng fo rce in up h olding t h e frag ile econo m y o f B ang lades h. B ut the

ind is crim ina te us e o f lan ds , im ba lan ced us e o f fer tilizer s , n on -jud icious u s e o f agr och em ica ls

and ve r y lo w land -m an r at io h a s cr eat ed a th rea t to th e agr icu lt ur e o f B an g lade s h .


30 | P a g e

Table 4. 5 . Co m p aris on o f pr es en t a nd requ ired nut rient cont ent in res pe ct of croppi n g pa ttern

Ser ies Sam ple n o. A va ilable crops C om pa ris on N ut rient cont ent

N (%) P (µg g -1 ) K (Cm olckg -1 ) S (µg g -1 )

A m jh up i 11 -15 R ice, B ean , L en til,

K h es ar i.

P re s ent cont ent 0. 06 199. 18 0. 48 19. 24

O pt imum con ten t*

U pl an d crops ( Be an ,

L en til, K h es ari) 0. 27 -0. 36 22. 70 -29. 93 0. 27 -0. 36 22. 45 -30. 47

L ow lan d crops (R ice) 0. 27 -0. 36 18. 58 -23. 74 0. 23 -0. 30 27. 26 -36. 89

Ish u rdi 9, 16 Ri ce P re s ent cont ent 0. 08 273. 48 0. 33 11. 22

O pt imum con ten t* ow lan d crops (R ice) .27 -0. 36 .58 -23. 74 0. 23 -0. 30 .26 -36. 89

M irpu r 2, 10

P ot a to, C abba ge ,

Spin ach , R ed

A m ara n thus .

P re s ent cont ent 0. 03 287. 93 0. 20 11. 22


U pl an d crops ( P ot a to,

Ca b b age , S pina ch, R ed

A m ara n thus )

0. 27 -0. 36 22. 70 -29. 93 0. 27 -0. 36 0. 14 -0. 19

Sa ra 1, 3,4, 5,6 ,7 ,8

R ice , Jut e, W h ea t,

M us ta rd, L en til,

O ni on , B rinjal

P re s ent cont ent 0. 18 89. 78 0. 18 16. 04


U pl an d crops ( Wh eat ,

M us ta rd, L en til, O nion ,

B rinjal)

0. 27 -0. 36 22. 70 -29. 93 0. 27 -0. 36 0. 14 -0. 19

L ow lan d crops ( R ice,

Jut e) 0. 27 -0. 36 18. 58 -23. 74 0. 23 -0. 30 27. 26 -36. 89

* O pt im u m con tent in dicates th e am ou n t requi red for o pt im um y ield (T ha n a n irde s hika gu ide , 2006) .


31 | P a g e

To m eet t h e o v er -gr o w ing ne eds o f a n e xt rem ely o ut s iz ed po pul ation, the c o un tr y's na t ur a l

re s o ur ce b as e is r apidly b e ing o u ts trippe d by hu m a n in duc ed e nvi ronm en tal de gr ada tion ,

s pe cially due t o p oo r m an ag em en t of a gr icu lt ur a l lan ds . T his r eg ion t h us n eeds s pe cia l

atten tion for i ts de ve lop m en t a n d t o m itiga te c on s tra in ts t o us e pot en tials . O ut of t h e s ix

admin istrativ e d ivi s io n s o f B an g lade s h , K h u lna d ivi s io n lyi ng in t h e s o ut h - w es t h as b ee n

co n s ide red as t h e s t udy ar ea t o hig hlig h t th e s tate of lan d, w at er an d p lan t n ut rition r es o ur ces .

B es ide s t his , t h er e ar e s om e s uc ce s s fu l e xc itin g e ve n ts in t h e fron tier o f t h e agr icu lt ur e s ect or .

E nvi ronm en tal s us ta in abilit y is d irect ly r e lat ed to i m pr o v ed na t ur al r e s o ur ce m an age m en t.

In ter es tin g lan d us es like agr o -fish eries ( rice-fis h c u lt ur e) , flo ricu lt ur e, agr o -fores tr y ( fo res t +

H orticu lt ur e + v eg et abl es ) ar e ga ining po pu lar it y in K h u lna r eg io n . B ut due to th e ab s e nc e o f

land z o ning, land us e po licy a nd pr ope r land budg eting in B ang lades h, no ur is hm ent fo r the ir

s us ta in able e x pa ns io n is b e ing h am pe red. R oads s ide s , r a ilw a y , n ew ly accr et ed cha rlan ds ,

flood pr ot ection e m ba n km en ts , e tc. a re b e in g us ed for s ocial fores tr y but it s ho u ld ha ve be e n

pr ope rly gu ide d w ith a dm in is trativ e s uppo rt fo r th e ir s us ta ina ble gr o w th a s w e ll a s t o a v o id

conflict a m on g t h e n e ig hb o ur in g c lien ts . L an d z o ning t h ro ugh pr ope r lan d e v a lua tion a n d its

imp leme n tation t o e s tablish s us ta ina ble lan d us e s y s te m in t h e s t udi ed ar eas ar e vi ta lly

im po rtan t. A gr o -fis he rie s a nd A gr o -for es tr y /s oc ial for es tr y s h oul d b e m ade s us ta in able for

th e s ocio ec on om ic up lift o f t h e loca l pe op le o f t h e r egi on as w e ll as t o con s er v e t h e n o rm a l

res o ur ce b as e o f th at r egion . A llocation of lan d b a s ed on pr ope r l an d e va lua tion for

e s tablish me n t o f s us ta inable lan d u s e s y s te m in t h e r egion is o f o ut m o s t impo rtan ce t o

co n s er ve t h e n at ur al eco s y s te m an d e xi tin g land an d s oil r e s o ur ce b as e in t h e r egi on .

C ons er va tion of bi odive rs it y a n d pr om o tion al act ivi ties r e lat ed to clien te le dr iv e n t echn o log y

dis s em ina tion pr ogr am m e ba s ed on l and and s oil cha racteris tics a re be ing g ive n t op pr io rit y

in t h e lan d us e p lanni ng pr og ram m e o f t h e r egion .

Summary and Conclusion

32 | P a g e

Chapter-5

5. Summary and Conclusion

Th e s t ud ied s o ils s h o w ed n eut ra l t o s lig h tly a lka lin e r eact ion ( pH 6. 5 -7. 8) , lo w t o m ode rate

o rga nic m at ter c on ten ts ( 0.61 -2 .8% ), l o w ni trogen ( 0. 03 -0. 18% ), hi g h p h o s ph o r us ( 55. 1 -

507. 4 µ g g -1 ) , l ow t o h igh po tas s ium ( 0. 12 -0. 54 C m o lckg -1 ) , an d m ode rat e t o op tim u m

s u lp h ur ( 8. 51 -22. 60 µg g -1 ) in t he tops oil.

A m ajor ch allen g e o f agr icu lt ur e pr oduc tion is t h e de ter io rat ion o f n at ur al r es o ur ces e. g. lan d

an d w at er due to o v er ex p lo itat ion o f agr icu lt ur a l land and gr eates t e m p ha s is o n m ono -

croppi n g ( rice). T his w o u ld im pa ct food a n d n ut rition ins ecur it y o f inc reas ing po pu lation .

Th ere a re m any pr oblem s r e lated t o s oil h ealth i s s ue w hich hinde r c rop pr oduc tion . T h e

ma jor pr oblems a re de p letion o f s o il o rga nic ma tter an d s o il fertilit y , inc reas ing s oil s a linit y

an d s o il ac idit y , t o ps oil er o s ion , an d de gr ade d rice s oils . T o s olv e t h es e pr oblem s , e fficien t

an d jud icio u s r es ear ch p lanni ng is n eede d. N ot al l pr oblem s ar e r es ear ch able, s o pr oblem s

n eed to b e pr io ritiz ed tha t c ons traint pr oduc tion, gr o w th a nd de ve lop m ent . In B ang lade s h

fer tilizer r eco m m en da tion s ar e ge ne rally m ade o n th e b as is o f A gr o -ecolog ical reg ion s , w hich

ar e hi g hl y ge n er alized. F er tilizer r eco m m en da tion b as ed on s ite s pe cific s o il t es t v a lu es ar e

fo u n d t o pr oduc e con s ide rable hi g h y ie lds a n d farm ers r e s po n s e a re v er y m uc h e nc o ur agin g.

SR D I a n d th e A gr icu lt ur a l E x tens io n D epa rtm ent c an s uppor t th e farm ers by e s tablis hing

loca l r es e ar ch s tations fo r tes tin g th e s o ils a nd pr o vi ding th e far m er s w ith ne ce s s ar y

s ugge s tion s fo r a pp lication o f a gr icu lt ur a l input s .

M ajorit y o f t h e pot en tial ar ea co ul d ea s ily b e co v e red un de r pr ope r m an age m en t tak in g lan d,

s oil cr op an d w at er relat ions hip in to acco un t. In tr ue s en s e t h er e i s n o s o un d us e of w at er

res o ur ce, in K h u lna r eg ion , pa rticu lar ly due t o p oo r m an age m en t o f t h e i rriga tion equ ip m en t

an d n on a v a ilabilit y o f fre s h w at er dur in g th e dr y s eas on . S eas on al pr oduc tion o f R abi crops

inc lud ing w in ter an d s u m m er v ege tables a n d cas h cr ops m a y b e inc reas ed in t his ar ea fo r th e

con s um pt ion of local pe opl e . In troduc tion of H Y V v arietie s can b rin g dras tic de v e lopm en tal

cha ng es in food pr oduc tion. W ith pu m p ing a w a y facilit y o f e xc e s s w a ter, H Y V A m an m a y

a ls o b e i n troduc ed. R es ear ch s h o u ld b e de m and driv e n an d locat ion s pe cific. E x ten s io n

age nc ies an d de v e lop m en t pa rtn er s s ugge s t techn o log y de v e lop m en t th at requi re m ode rn

too ls , b a s ic an d s trat egi c r es ear ch an d addr es s is s u es like clim at e ch an ge e ffect, r es to ration o f

s oil he alth a nd s oil m ana ge m ent in le s s o r un fa v o ur abl e eco s y s te m s .

Summary and Conclusion

33 | P a g e

Soil r es ear ch n eed s t o b e i n tegr at ed w ith ot h er a reas of r es ear ch ( e. g. i rriga tion , cr ops ) i n

s olvi ng inc reas ing c o m p le x pr oblem s . S us taina bilit y go als de m an d t h at a de qua te s trategie s

ar e b u ilt in t o reduc e f ur th er de gr ad in g of pr odu ctiv e s o il an d all o ut ef forts ar e m ade t o

reh abilitat e th e a lread y de gr ade d s o ils .

In t h e fut ur e s oil s cien tis ts w ill n eed to ad op t m o re co m pr e h en s ive appr oach e s in fo rm u lat ion

an d exe cut ion o f r es ear ch es . O ur pi ece m ea l app roach ten ds to vi ew t h e p roblem s from a

s ho rt-term pe rs pe ctiv e n eg lect in g th e lon g -ter m as pe cts .

O ur b as ic t as k of w is e ly us ing o ur s o il r es o ur ces r equ ires t h at w e s h o ul d h a v e a pe riodic a n d

regu lar inv e n tor y of our s oils - th e ir c h aracte ris tics , fertilit y s ta tus , di s tr ib ut ion a n d u s e

pot en tial. S uc h inform ation ne eds t o b e r eadily a v a ilable t h ro ugh ten ts , m aps a n d ot h er da ta

ba s is . Th e pr o s pe rit y a n d fur th er de v e lop m en t of t h e ar ea i s a f o rm idable t as k to b e

un de rtake n in a n in tegr at ed an d m u lti d is cip lina r y appr oach . G O /N G O 's co llab orat iv e e fforts

w ill b e n ec es s ar y fo r s uc ces s fu l im p lem en tat ion o f lan d us e pr og ram m e locally.

References

34 | P a g e

Chapter-6

6. References

A hm ed, S .; K arim , A .Q .M .B . a n d R ahm an , S .M . 1973. F ix ation o f a dde d po tas s iu m at

va rio us de pt hs in t w o s oils . Bangladesh Journal of Soil Science, 9: 1 -16 .

B an g lape dia, 2006. A s iat ic S ociet y B a n g lade s h , D h aka , B an g lade s h .

B A R C , 2005. Fertilizer Recommendation Guide. Soils P u blication N o. 45 , B an g lade s h

A gr icu lt ur a l R e s ear ch C o un cil, D h aka , B an g lade s h .

B arth olo m e w , M .W . 1972. S oil nitroge n s upp ly pr oces s a n d c rop r equi rem ent . North

Carolina State University Technical Bulletin 219 , N orth C arolina , U SA . P 68.

B B S , 1993. Year Book of Agricultural Statistics of Bangladesh. B an g lade s h B ur eau o f

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I

7. Appendices

A ppe n dix 1. S oil clas s e s b a s ed o n pH

Soil clas s Soil pH

E xt rem ely a cid < 4. 5

V er y s trong ly a cid 4. 5 t o 5. 0

S trong ly acid 5. 1 t o 5. 5

M ediu m a cid 5. 6 t o 6. 0

S ligh tly a cid 6. 1 t o 6. 5

N eut ral 6. 6 t o 7. 3

M ildly a lka line 7. 4 t o 7. 8

M ode rately a lka line 7. 9 t o 8. 4

S tron g ly a lka line 8. 5 t o 9. 0

V er y s tron g ly a lka line > 9. 0

(B A R C , 2005)

A ppe n dix 2. S oil sa linit y clas s e s b as ed on E C

Soil clas s E C ( dS /m)

N ons aline < 2

S ligh tly s a line 2 -4

M ode rately s a line 4 -8

Saline 8-16

H ig hl y s a line > 16

(B A R C , 2005)

References

II

A ppe n dix 3. S tat us of s o il o rga nic m at ter

C at egor y O M (%)

V er y l o w ≤ 1. 0

Lo w 1. 0 -1. 7

M edium 1. 7 -3. 4

H igh 3. 4 -5. 5

V er y hi g h ≥ 5. 5

(B A R C , 2005)

A ppe nd ix 4. C ritical lim its a nd m etho d of e xt raction of nut rie nt s

N am e o f nut rie nt C ritical lim it M et h od of ex tract ion

N (%) 0. 12 K jeldahl me th od

P ( µg g -1 ) 10. 0 O lse n me th od

K ( C mo lckg -1 ) 0. 12 NH 4O A c m et h od

S ( µg g -1 ) 10. 0 KH 2PO 4 me th od

O rga nic C (%) C /N = 10: 1 W et o xi da tion me th od

(B A R C , 2005)

A ppe nd ix 5. F ertilit y s tat us ba s ed on i nd iv idua l nu trie nt cont ent

N ut rien t V er y low

Lo w M edium O pt imu m H igh V er y hig h

*N (%) < 0. 09

0. 091 -0. 18

0. 181 -0. 27

0. 271 -0. 36 0. 36 -0. 45

> 0. 45

P ( µg g -1 ) < 7. 5 7. 5 -15. 0 15. 1 -22. 5 22. 51 -30 30. 1 -37. 5

> 37. 5

K

(C mo lckg -1 )

< 0. 09

0. 091 -0. 18

0. 181 -0. 27

0. 271 -0. 36 0. 361 -0. 45

> 0. 45

S (µg g -1 ) < 7. 5 7. 51 -15. 0

15. 1 -22. 5 22. 51 -30 30. 1 -37. 5

> 37. 5

* in dicate s tot al s ta tus (B A R C , 2005)

NUTRIENT CONTENTS OF SOME REPRESENTATIVE SOILS OF GANGES RIVER FLOODPLAIN

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