Technology From Soil Science Division
 
AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY
 
Fertilizer Recommendation
 
Cereal Crops :

Maize

The fertilizer dose of 250: 120: 120: 40: 5 : 2 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O: S: Zn: B, respectively was found optimum for the grain yield (10.66 t/ha) of hybrid maize in the Tista Meander Floodplain (AEZ-3) of Rangpur during rabi season of 1991-92 and 1992-93.
 
Wheat
The application of 120: 60: 60 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O respectively plus 10 t/ha cowdung was found to be optimum for the seed yield (3.45 t/ha) of wheat (cv. Kanchan) in Old Brahamaputra Floodplain (AEZ-9) of Jamalpur during the rabi season of 1991-93.
 
Kaon
The application of 60: 60: 50: 10: 5 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O: S: Zn respectively plus 5 t/ha cowdung was found to be optimum for the grain yield (3.80 t/ha) of kaon (cv. Titas) in Old Brahamaputra Floodplain (AEZ-9) of Jamalpur during the rabi season of 1991-94.
 
Barley
The highest grain yield (2.74 t/ha) of Barley (cv. BARI Barley-1) was obtained by the application of 120-100-80-20-5-1 kg/ha N: P2O5 : K2O: S: Zn : B: Mo respectively in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur during the rabi season of 1995-99.
 
Oilseed Crops :
Mustard
The significant yield of 2.11 t ha-1 and 2.07 t ha-1 of mustard cv. SS-75 and Nap-8509 respectively at 1 kg B and 5 kg Mn ha-1 plus 5 t ha-1 cowdung were recorded along with blanket dose of 120: 80: 60: 40: 40: 5 kg ha-1 N : P2O5 : K2O : S : Zn in the High Ganges River Floodplain (AEZ-11) of Chuadanga during 1993-95. While the application 1 kg boron and 10 kg Mg/ha along with blanket dose of 120: 80: 60: 40: 40: 5 kg ha-1 N : P2O5 : K2O : S : Zn was found to optimum for the seed yield (1.87 t/ha) of mustard (Nap 8509) in the Tista Meander Floodplain (AEZ-3) of Dinajpur during the rabi season of 1993-95.
 
Mustard (late var.)
The fertilizer dose of 120: 80: 80: 40: 5: 2 kg ha-1 N : P2O5 : K2O : S : Zn : B was found to be optimum for maximizing seed yield (1.28 t ha) of mustard (cv. Daulat) to obtain the maximum marginal rate of return (MRR%) 2002% and gross margin Tk. 11002 ha-1 in Middle Meghna Floodplain (AEZ-16) of Comilla during the rabi seasons of 1996-97.
 
Peanut
5. The application of 20: 60: 60: 30: 5: 1: 2 kg/ha N: P2O5 : K2O: S: Zn : Mo: B respectively under irrigated condition was found to be optimum for Pod yield (2.52 t/ha) of Groundnut (cv. Dhaka-1) in Madhupur Tract( AEZ-28) of Joydebpur during the rabi season of 1991-94.
 
Sunflower
The seed yield of sunflower (cv. Kironi) can be maximized up to 2 t/ha by application 10 kg Mg and 2 kg B along with the blanket dose of 100: 80: 80: 40: 5 kg ha-1 of N: P2O5 : K2O : S: Zn in the Tista Meander Floodplain (AEZ-3) of Dinajpur during the rabi season in Mg and B deficient soil. On the other hand 2 kg B and 5 kg Mn ha-1 plus 5 t/ha cowdung along with the blanket dose 100: 80: 80: 40: 5 kg ha-1 of N : P2O5 : K2O : S: Zn respectively were required to maximize the sunflower seed yield (2.49 t/ha) in High Ganges River Floodplain (AEZ-11) of Jessore during rabi season of 1993-95.
 
Niger
The seed yield (0.92 t ha-1) of Niger (cv. Shova)can be obtained by the application of 90: 80: 80: 20: 5 kg ha-1 N: P2O5: K2O: S: Zn, respectively against the seed yield (0.51 t ha-1) in control in High Ganges River Floodplain (AEZ-11) of Jessore during the rabi season of 1993-95.
 
Linseed
The seed yield of linseed (cv. Neela)can be increased by the application of 60: 60: 40: 15: 5 kg ha-1 N: P2O5: K2O: S: Zn, respectively against the seed yield (0.53 t ha-1) produced in control in High Ganges River Floodplain (AEZ-11) of Jessore during the rabi seasons of 1993-95.
 
Soybean
The maximum seed yield (1.38 t ha-1) of soybean (cv. Sohag) were obtained by the application of 1.5 kg B and 1 kg Mo along with a blanket dose of 30: 80: 80: 20: 4 kg ha-1 N: P2O5 : K2O: S : Zn in High Ganges River Floodplain (AEZ-11) of Chuadanga during the rabi seasons of 1993-95.
 
Soybean
The highest seed yield 1.93 t/ha of soybean was produced by the application of 60 kg P2O5 and 40 S/ha with the blanket dose 50 K2O and 5 kg Zn/ha and inoculum in the Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur.
 
Vegetable Crops :

PM on Cabbage

A blanket dose of 200: 120: 100: 50: 5: 2: 1: kg/ha N: P2O5 K2O S: Mg :Zn :B:Mo: respectively along with Poultry manure 10 t/ha may be recommended for production (86.40 t ha-1) of Cabbage (cv. Atlas-70) in the Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur.
The combination 180: 60: 180: 30: 5: 1: kg/ha N: P2O5 : K2O: S: Zn: Mo, respectively and organic manure @ 5 t/ha produced the highest head yield (73.50 t/ha) of cabbage (cv. Atlas-70) with the maximum marginal rate of return (MRR%) 2227% and gross margin Tk. 202452/- ha in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur during the rabi season of 1992-94.
The application of 1 kg Mo ha-1 and 10 t ha-1 cowdung along with blanket dose of 240 : 100: 120: 50: 5 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O: S: Zn respectively was found optimum for the production (92.00 t/ha) of cabbage (cv. Atlas-70) against head yield (56.00 t/ha) produced without Mo and organic manure in Northern and Eastern Hills (AEZ-29) of Raikhali during the rabi season of 1992-94.
The combination 200: 90: 100: 20: 5 kg/ha N: P2O5 : K2O: S: Zn with cowdung 5 /ha produced the highest yield (64.78 t/ha) of Chinese Cabbage (line-1-2-70) with maximum marginal rate of return (MRR%) 8015% and gross margin Tk. 185547/ha in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur during the rabi season of 1992-94.
 
Broccoli
This is a newly introduced cole vegetable in Bangladesh. The application of 137 : 97 : 21 : 1 kg ha-1 N : P2O5 : K2O : S : Mo, respectively was found to be optimum for maximizing the curd yield (17.58 t/ha) of Broccoli (cv. Green Sprouting) in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur during the rabi seasons of 1992-94.
A blanket dose 120: 80: 80: 20: 5: 2: 1 t/ha N: P2O5 : K2O: S: Mg :Zn :B:Mo: along with Poultry manure10 t/ha respectively was found suitable for the production (21 t/ha) of Broccoli (cv. Green Sprouting) Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur.
 
Tomato
The fruit yield of tomato (cv. Ratan) was significantly increased up to 90 t/ha by the application of 30.50 kg S and 1.37 kg B ha-1 along with a blanket dose of 150: 100: 100: 5: 1 kg ha-1 N: P2O5 : K2O : Zn : Mo plus 5 t/ha cowdung. The rate of increase of fruit yields were 0.41-0.55 t kg for each 1 kg and 3.28-3.33 t for each 1 kg B up to optimum level during the rabi seasons of 1992-94 in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur.
 
Cauliflower
The application of 120: 100: 100: 20: 5: 1.5: 1.5 kg/ha N: P2O5 : K2O: S: Zn : B: Mo respectively plus 5 t/ha cowdung was found to be optimum for highest curd yield (23.80 t/ha) of cauliflower (cv. Snowball) in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur during the rabi seasons of 1992-94.
The application of 150: 100: 100: 20: 5: 2: 1 kg/ha N: P2O5 : K2O: S: Zn : B: Mo respectively was found to be optimum for highest yield (28.29 t/ha) of Cauliflower (cv. snowball) in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur during the rabi season of 1995-99.
 
Potato
The highest tuber yield 23.47 t/ha of indigenous potato (cv. Lal pakhri) was obtained by the combined effect of 100: 60: 30: 10: 4: 1: kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O: S: Zn: B in Old Brahmaputra Floodplain (AEZ-9) of Jamalpur.
 
SPICES :

Onion

The application of 120: 90: 90: 20: 5 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O: S: Zn, respectively plus 5 t/ha cowdung was found to be optimum for maximizing bulb yield (8.76 t/ha) of onion (cv. Taherpuri) resulting 112% increase over national average bulb yield (4.12 t/ha) to obtain the maximum marginal rate of return (MRR%) 3761% and gross margin Tk. 83520 ha-1 in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur during the rabi season of 1991-93.
The application of 120: 90: 90: 20 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O: S, respectively plus 5 t/ha cowdung was found to be optimum for maximizing the bulb yield (4.88 t/ha) of garlic (cv. Multiclove local) resulting 62% increase over national average bulb yield (3.01 t/ha) to obtain the maximum marginal rate of return (MRR%) 3736% and gross margin Tk. 68234 ha-1 in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur during the rabi season of 1991-93.
 
VEGETABLE SEED PRODUCTION :

Red Amaranth

The combination 120: 150: 80: 40: 15: 5: 2: 1 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O: S: Mg :Zn :B :Mo, respectively along with cowdung 5 and lime 2 t/ha was found to be optimum for the production of quality seeds (1.54 t ha-1) of Lal Sak (cv. Altapati) in Himalayan Piedmont Plain (AEZ-1) of Thakurgaon during the rabi seasons of 1991-94.
 
Tomato
The combination 160: 120: 180: 40: 15: 5: 1: 1kg/ha N : N: P2O5: K2O: S: Mg :Zn : B :Mo, respectively along with cowdung 5 and lime 2 t/ha was found to be optimum for the production of quality seeds (0.14 t ha-1) of Tomato (cv. Ratan) in Himalayan Piedmont Plain (AEZ-1) of Thakurgaon during the rabi seasons of 1991-94.
 
Brinjal
The combination 100: 80: 60: 40: 15: 5: 1: 1: kg/ha N: P2O5 : K2O: S: Mg :Zn :B :Mo, respectively along with cowdung 20 and lime 1 t/ha may be recommended for the production of quality seeds (0.13 t ha-1) of Brinjal (cv. Uttara) in Himalayan Piedmont Plain (AEZ-1) of Thakurgaon during the rabi seasons of 1992-95.
 
Cabbage
The combination 180: 100: 90: 40: 15: 2: 1 kg/ha N: P2O5 : K2O: S: Mg :Zn :B :Mo, respectively along with cowdung 5 and lime 3 t/ha respectively was found suitable for the production of quality seeds(0.25t ha-1) of Cabbage (cv. Provati) in Himalayan Piedmont Plain (AEZ-1) of Thakurgaon during the rabi seasons of 1992-95.
 
Cauliflower
The treatment 150: 100: 125: 40: 15: 5: 2: kg/ha N: P2O5 : K2O: S: Mg: Zn :B: Mo, respectively + cowdung 10 and lime 3 t/ha respectively was found suitable for the production of quality seeds (1.63 t ha-1) of Cauliflower (cv. Agrahayani) in Himalayan Piedmont Plain (AEZ-1) of Thakurgaon during the rabi seasons of 1993-95.
 
CROPPING PATTERN :

Peanut-T. aman

Different sources of sulphur fertilizer along with N: P2O5: K: Zn: B: Mo: @ 120: 80: 60: 5: 2: 1 kg/ha respectively were applied in the first crop of the pattern and only nitrogen (100 kg/ha) was applied in succeeding crop. Gypsum application produced better yields in both soils in the first crop (groundnut-2.65 and 3.0 t/ha) of the cropping pattern. In the succeeding T. aman (BR-11) crop significant yield (5.0 and 5.25 t/ha) were obtained by the residual effect of elemental sulphur and T90 in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur and Old Brahamaputra Floodplain (AEZ-9) of Jamalpur during the cropping seasons of 1991-94.
 
Mustard-T. aus-T. aman
Different sources sulphur fertilizer along with N: P2O5: K2O: Zn: B @ 120: 80: 60: 5: 2 kg/ha respectively were applied in the first crop (Mustard, cv. SS-75) of the pattern and only nitrogen was applied in succeeding crop (T. aus, BR-11). The highest seed yield of 1.66 and 1.58 t/ha were obtained with the application of ½ Gyp. + elemental sulphur and T90. Whereas the residual effect of elemental sulphur and T90 produced the highest grain yield of T.aus of 3.50 and 3.86 t/ha in the Old Brahmaputra Floodplain (AEZ-9) and High Ganges River Floodplain (AEZ-11) of Jamalpur and Jessore respectively during the cropping seasons of 1992-94.
 
Peanut-T. aman
The 40 kg S/ha and 2 kg B/ha along with 20: 60: 60: 4 t/ha N: P2O5: K2O: Zn produced the highest pod yield of 2.96 and 3.12 t/ha of groundnut, whereas the residual effect of 60 kg S/ha + 2 kg B/ha produced grain yield of 5.50 and 5.67 t/ha of T. aman (BR-11) in Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28) of Joydebpur during the cropping seasons of 1993-95.
 
Wheat-GM-T. aman
The grain yield (4.23 t/ha) of wheat (cv. Kanchan) and 6.4 t/ha of T. aman (BR-11) were obtained in the fertilizer dose 120: 60: 60: 20: 5: kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O: S: Zn (without GM) while grain yield (4.37 t/ha) of wheat and (6.8 t/ha) of T. aman was obtained in 90: 60: 20: 20: 5: kg/ha Zn (with GM). The result showed that by growing GM to biomass (12.0-16.0 t/ha) can save 30 kg nitrogen per hectare in the wheat-GM-T.aman cropping pattern in the in Old Brahmaputra Floodplain (AEZ-9) of Jamalpur during the cropping seasons of 1991-95.
 
Cowpea-B. aus (Saline zone)
The fertilizer dose of 50: 50:: 50: 20: 5 kg/ha N: P2O5: K2O: S: Zn respectively for cowpea (local) 80: 60: 60: 10: 2.5 kg/ha N: P2O5 K2O S Zn respectively for B. aus (BR-26) and 120: 80: 60: 10: 2.5 kg/ha N P2O5 K2O S Zn respectively for T. aman (BR-11) were found optimum for maximizing the total grain yield (9.0 t/ha) in Ganges Tidal Floodplain (AEZ-13), saline phase (S2 category) at Patuakhali during the seasons of 1995-98.
 
Wheat-Mungbean-T. Aman
Application of recommended dose of fertilizer (Wheat = N120P35K75Zn5 kg/ha, Mungbean = N120 kg/ha, T. Aman = N100 P40 K60 kg/ha) for the individual crops of the pattern and incorporation of green bio-mass of mungbean sustains the yield of the cropping pattern as well as soil fertility at Jessore under AEZ-11 during 2000-2005.
 
Mustard-Mungbean-T. Aman
Application of recommended dose of fertilizer (Mustard=N120P54K70Zn3B1 kg/ha

Mungbean = N120 kg/ha T. Aman = N100 P54 K70 S10 kg/ha) for the individual crops of the pattern and incorporation of green biomass of mungbean sustains the yield of the cropping pattern as well as soil fertility at Jessore under AEZ-11 during 2000-2005.
 
ARSENIC IN GROUND WATER
The widespread arsenic (As) contamination in ground water and in soils pause a real threat to Bangladesh. In majority cases As level in irrigation water is >200 ppb and in extreme cases even more than 700 ppb. In a detail study As status and variation in water, soil, rice grain and straw samples of a shallow tube well (STW) command area of Brahmanbaria, it was evident that As content in STW water varied seasonally. Also As in the standing irrigation water decreased with increase of distance it traveled from the STW. Likewise soil As decreased with the increase of distance from the STW. Long duration rice BINA-6 and BRRI Dhan 29 grown with As contaminated irrigation water contained higher arsenic in rice grain and straw than the short duration varieties. Arsenic content of rice grain and straw sample is comparatively higher at the nearest points and lower at far points of the STW command area. One implication is that As contamination is increased by continuous irrigation with As contaminated ground water. A probable solution is replacement of irrigated rice by upland crops and use of less irrigation requirement crops.
 
SOIL PHYSICS
 
Investigations on soil physical aspects and water management were started from 1979. Studies were concentrated mainly on (a) crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling of upland crops based on soil moisture regimes, climatic parameters and physiological growth stages and (b) management of soil physical environment which includes tillage practices, soil moisture conservation, dense layer (pan) at shallow depth, puddling effect on soil properties. The summarized results are given in Table 1 and 2. Some useful information have come out from these studies which have already been transferred to farmer’s field.
 
Table 1. Water requirement of different crops in Bangladesh
 
Crop
Location
No. of irrigation (Days)
Growth stage when water deficit must be avoided
Irrigation water required (cm)
Total water required (cm)

Yield (t/ha)

No stress With stress
Wheat Joydebpur


Jessore

Ishurdi
3(21,45,70)


2(21,45)

2(21,45)
Crown root initiation

Flowering

Grain filling
17


12

12
30


30

30
2.5-4.0 1.0-1.2
Maize Joydebpur

Jessore

Jamalpur
3(30,60,90)

2(40,90)

2(40,90)
Flowering

Grain filling
20

10

10
40

35

35
4.0-6.5
1.5-2.0
Kaon Joydebpur

Ishurdi
2(40,65)

1(40)
Flowering

Grain filling
10

5
20

20
2.0-2.5
1.0-1.2
Chickpea Barind

Jessore
2(30,60)

1(30)
Flowering

Pod development
10

5
20

18
1.5-2.5 0.6-0.8
Lentil Joydebpur

Barind

Jessore

Rajbari
2(25,50)

2(25,50)

2(25,50)

1(30)
Flowering

Pod development
10

10

9

8
22

22

20

20
1.0-2.0
0.5-0.7
Cowpea Rahmatpur

Hathazari

1(45)

2(30,60)

Late vegetative stage

5

5

18

23

2.0-3.0
0.8-1.2
Mustard
Joydebpur


Ishurdi
2(25,50)


1(25)
Vegetative stage

Siliqua filling stage
12


5
18


16
1.5-2.5 0.6-0.8
Groundnut Joydebpur

Jamalpur
3(25,50,75)

2(35, 75)
Pre flowering

Early pod development
11

11
30

25
2.0-3.0 1.0-1.2
Soybean Joydebpur

Ishurdi


Hathazari
3(25,50,75)

2(35,75)


3(25,50,75)
Pre flowering

Early pod development
12

10


14
26

22


30
1.5-2.5 0.8-1.0
Cabbage Joydebpur


Jessore
5(15,25,35,45,60)


4(15,25,40,60)
Seedling establishment

Head formation
12


10
26


22
70.0-80.0 25.0-35.0
Cauliflower Joydebpur


Jessore
5(15,25,35,45,60)


4(15,25,40,60)
Seedling establishment

Curd formation
14


12
24


20
22.0-32.0 4.0-6.0
Broccoli Joydebpur


Jessore
5(15,25,35,45,60)


4(15,25,40,60)
Seedling establishment

Curd formation
12


10
22


20
8.0-12.0 4.0-6.0
Potato Munshiganj

Bogra

Jessore

Joydebpur
3(20,40,60)

3(20,40,60)

3(20,40,60)

4(15,30,45,60)
Stolonization

Tuberization

Bulking
12

12

12

14
30

30

28

32
22.0-30.0 8.0-10.0
Radish Joydebpur

Jessore
3(15,25,40)

2(20,40)
Entire growth stage 10

8
22

18
50.0-65.0