ZCZC
BSS-06
ORGANIC-FERTILIZATION-PRACTICE (with picture)
Organic fertilization beneficial for protecting soil health immensely
By Dr Aynal Haque
RAJSHAHI, Jan 4, 2021 (BSS) – Liming and organic fertilization has been adjudged as an effective means of boosting cropping yield through protecting soil health in the region including its high Barind area.
These were exposed in various experimental plots of wheat, lentil, potato and chickpea at six separate locations in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon districts for the last couple of years.
The cash crops were cultivated in two separate demonstration plots, one experiment and other farmers’ practice, to evaluate the effects of liming and organic matter on soil properties, soil health and growth traits.
The field level experiments conducted by Rajshahi regional office of Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) showed better yields than that of the conventional plots.
Dr Nurul Islam, Principal Scientific Officer of SRDI, said each of the ten farmers were given all sorts of impute supports including fertilizer, labour, water for irrigation and technical knowhow for farming crops on one bigha of experimental plot.
He said organic matter always creates a positive soil environment from which plants can uptake nutrients from applied chemical fertilizers.
It increases uptake of applied chemical fertilizers by the plants which contributes to increasing crop productivity through reducing toxic flow of active chemical fertilizers to the environment.
Taimur Ali, a farmer of Parbatipur area under Gomostapur Upazila, had cultivated wheat on two bigha of lands and harvested 18 mounds of yield from the one-bigha experiment plot while 12 mounds from the conventional one.
Shariful Alam, another farmer of Patari villag under Shapaher Upazila said he has harvested nine mounds of lentil from the experiment plot while six mounds from his own conventional system.
Besides, he said liming and organic matter systems are cost-effective.
Farmer Saiful Islam of Badhair village under Tanore Upazila said potato yield was 115 mounds per bigha in experimental plot against 90 mound of farmers’ practice, while the yield of chickpea was 13 mounds of experimental plot against six mounds of conventional system last year.
Dr Nurul Islam said soil organic matter is a key factor in maintaining long-term soil fertility since it is the reservoir of metabolic energy, which drives soil biological processes involved in nutrient availability.
The farmers applied half-rated chemical fertilizer along with optimum organic fertilizer and bio-pesticide in their fields in order to make them financially benefited side by side with protecting the soil health.
Main objective of the experiment was to achieve more broad based and sustainable outcomes in soil health, food security, environment management and economic opportunity in the region.
The farmers were imparted training on proper and effective application of organic method in farming fields to the targeted farmers, he added.
Most of the soils in the Barind area have less than 1.5 percent and some soils contain even less than 1 percent organic matter whereas a good soil should have at least 2.5 percent organic matter.
Dr Islam defined that organic matter supplies plant nutrients, increases water holding capacity of soil, reduce residual negative effect of fertilizers and pesticides. It makes the crops more tolerant to diseases, insects and also prevents soil erosion.
It is also the energy source for soil microorganisms, which are the primary agents that enhance the decomposition and release of minerals in soil system.
As a whole, soil environment is very important for plant growth and soil pH is the most important indicator of soil environment.
Bringing all the farming fields under liming and organic fertilization is a big challenge but there is no way but to face the challenge to protect the soil health.
In the present context of exorbitant use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides in farms, the issue of water and soil pollution is being adjudged as a serious threat to public health.
The problem, however, can be mitigated to a greater extent through promoting organic fertilization and creating public awareness on the issue.
Time has come to replicate the organic method to other areas to protect the land and water from pollution which is very much important for environmental balance and ensuring food security, he added.
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