Use of chemical fertilisers deteriorates soil quality in Pabna

PABNA, Feb 12: The quality of soil in Pabna's arable land has been deteriorating due to the use of chemical fertilisers and the resulting situation include abnormal rise of phosphorus and reduction of pH and organic matter in the soil, among other technical factors, according to soil researchers.

They say that the soil of nine upazilas in the district is surrounded by the Padma and Jamuna rivers, thus, arable land in different places require different types of micronutrients among a total of 13, which includes phosphorus, boron, zinc, manganese, iron, etc. But due to the arbitrary use of chemical fertilisers by farmers without taking advice from agricultural officials, soil quality has been deteriorating, the researchers also said. According to the regional laboratory of Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) in Pabna, although the amount of phosphorus is supposed to be 15.75 ppm to 21 ppm in the soil, it is difficult to measure in Pabna's agricultural lands due to the diversity of the soil. Sources from the office also said it is difficult to say the average quality of soil in Pabna as soil quality varies depending on the place. In a nutshell, the quality of agricultural land in Pabna "can not be said in one sentence," officials said.

"Organic matter needs to be five percent and pH needs to be 6.6 to 7.3," a soil department official said, adding that the quality of soil is decreasing and farmers are being affected due to the fertility loss of their land.

Some farmers said that they were supposed to be trained on the methods of using chemical fertilisers, but the agricultural officials did not do so. Babar Ali, a farmer from Sara area of Ishwardi upazila of the district, told the FE "Now there is no strength in the soil. To increase yield, we have to apply more fertiliser and poison (pesticide). This is further reducing the strength of the soil. But our expenses are increasing a lot. If we continue like this, we will not be able to work."

Soil researchers say that agricultural land is losing fertility due to excessive use of fertilisers. Therefore, the Department of Agricultural Extension has been advising the use of organic fertilisers in crop fields.

Md. Nazmul Islam, scientific officer at the regional laboratory of Pabna SRDI, said, "The pH of agricultural land in Pabna is decreasing because we are using a lot of nitrogen fertilisers. The amount of phosphorus is increasing because we are using DAP fertilisers as a source of phosphorus in the soil along with TSP fertilisers."

"And the reason for the decrease in organic matter is that we are not able to use the amount of organic matter that we could do earlier," the officer said referring to modern agricultural practices of high chemical fertiliser use.

Jahangir Alam, deputy director of the Pabna Agricultural Extension Department, said, "We are now encouraging farmers to use organic fertilisers more. We are advising them to use organic fertilisers in the required amount. If we can use organic matter regularly, then the quality of the soil will be good and the fertility of the soil will also increase."

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