International Journal of Agricultural

Science and Research (IJASR)

ISSN(P): 2250-0057; ISSN(E): 2321-0087
Vol. 6, Issue 5, Oct 2016, 1-8
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd

EVALUATION OF SOIL FERTILITY STATUS IN

OLD ALLUVIAL ZONE OF WEST BENGAL
TAPAS KUMAR PANDIT1 & SAIKAT MOOKHERJEE2
1

Assistant Professor in Soil Science and Ag. Chemistry, Regional Research Station, Old Alluvial Zone,
Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Majhian, Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, India

Assistant Director of Farms, Regional Research Station (Old Alluvial Zone), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya,
Majhian, Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT
A study was carried out to during 2011 to 2015 at the soil testing laboratory of Regional Research Station (Old
Alluvial Zone) of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Dakshin Dinajpur to evaluate the present soil fertility status of
this district under old alluvial zone. It is revealed that the soil of the zone is mostly acidic which causes non-availability
of essential plant nutrients to the crop. No such soil sample was found showing soil electrical conductivity value which is
critical for growth and critical for germination. The soil of this zone is characterized by low in organic carbon, low in

economic return of the farmers by improving the soil fertility status.

KEYWORDS: Available Plant Nutrients, Old Alluvial Zone, Soil Fertility

Received: Jul 16, 2016; Accepted: Aug 09, 2016; Published: Aug 16, 2016; Paper Id.: IJASROCT20161

INTRODUCTION

Original Article

available phosphate and high in available potash. There is a large scope of increasing productivity and ultimately the

In present day agriculture, there is increasing concern about the sustainability in productivity of soils as a
resource base to meet the demand of the escalating human population. The problem is more intense for a densely
populated country like India where man has been exploiting the soil nutrients from time immemorial.
Commensuration to huge requirement of food grain to feed ever expanding population of India, the country has
adopted several mechanisms for increasing the quantum of food production. Since such high levels of production
cannot be attained without external supply of adequate amount of nutrients. The use of fertilizers in the country
has thus increased consistently. However, in spite of the significant contribution of mineral fertilizers to the
increased food production, a steady decline in fertilizer use efficiency for production of agricultural crops has now
become a matter of serious concern. Crop production in any particular zone is based on the application, uptake and
efficient utilization of plant nutrients by the crops under specified condition. Sometimes non-judicious application
of plant nutrients hampers the uptake process of a particular nutrient or combination as a whole. The gradual
decline in the fertilizer use efficiency has been attributed to several factors by different workers. Some workers
consider lack of use of sufficient amount of organic matter in the nutrient management programme to be a major
reason for such decline in fertilizer use efficiency (Bourguignon, 2005). However, many others have attributed this
behaviour to use the plant nutrients below the required levels and also to imbalanced application of fertilizers. In

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Tapas Kumar Pandit & Saikat Mookherjee

present time, application of sub-optimal or more than optimum dose of fertilizers not only affect the productivity but also
hazardous for soil and environment. Understanding the soil physic-chemical properties and fertility status
is necessary to keep soils at its maximum performing level. Soil Chemical tests is one of the effective tools
commonly used to assess the fertility status of soil (Agboola and Ayodele, 1987). This also helps to get a clear idea of soil
condition of a particular zone and to contribute effectively in making and handling soil properly.
Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal, an eastern state of India is predominantly an agricultural district under
old alluvial zone with large area of land being under cultivation comprising of eight (8) blocks namely Balurghat,
Kumarganj, Tapan, Hilli, Gangarampur, Harirampur, Kushmandi and Banshihari. The district lies between 26035'15" and
25010'55" North Latitude and 8900'30"and 87048'37" East longitude in the Jalpaiguri division of West Bengal. Balurghat is
the headquarters of Dakshin Dinajpur. This district is primarily an agrarian district where 87% of the land is used for the
traditional paddy, wheat, jute, pulses, cereals and oilseed cultivation as principal crops of the district. The economy of this
district is principally depends on agriculture and allied practices. Though the old alluvial soils are less fertile than new
alluvial soils but there is enormous scope to increase the productivity by improving the soil fertility status by using
optimum dose of plant nutrients. Keeping this in consideration an effort has been made to evaluate the fertility status of this
district under old alluvial zone of West Bengal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Soil samples were collected as per prescribed techniques described in the figure: 1. Soil samples were collected
from the different parts of the districts. Farmers were the main source of collection of soil samples. Farmers collected their
soil samples at their own after perceiving the proper techniques for collection of samples through training programmes at
Dakshin Dinajpur Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Extension functionaries of Government of West Bengal also extended their
helping hand during collection of soil samples by the farmers. The entire soil samples collected during last five years i.e.
2011-2015 were analyzed at the soil testing laboratory of the Regional Research Station (Old Alluvial Zone), Uttar Banga
Krishi Viswavidyalaya. No soil sample was repeated for analysis during this time period. Total 2319 nos. soil samples
were analyzed and the values of pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon, Available Phosphate and Available potash
were recorded accordingly.

Figure 1: Sample Collection Procedure

Soil pH and EC: 10 g soil was taken in 50 ml beaker and mixed with 20 ml distilled water. It was allowed for 30
minutes and readings were taken by pH meter (Model: Systronics) and EC by conductivity meter.

Organic Carbon: It was estimated by the method as stated by Walkley and Black, (1934). 0.5 g Soil were mixed
with 10 ml 1 (N) K2Cr2O7 and 20 ml concentrated H2SO4 (96% pure). It was allowed for 30 minutes for
completion of reaction. Then 200 ml water and 10 ml orthophosphoric acid was added and stirred. Then 1 ml

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.8136

NAAS Rating: 3.53

Evaluation of Soil Fertility Status in Old Alluvial Zone of West Bengal

diphenylamine was added and stirred. After that it was titrated by 0.5(N) Ferrous ammonium sulphate [Fe (NH4)2
(SO4)2] solution until the blue colour just changes on to green colour. One blank reading was also taken for
calculation of value. Organic Carbon (%) = [(S-T)/S] x 6 (for 0.5 g soil)
Where, S= Fe (NH4)2 (SO4)2 solution reading in ml for blank; T= Fe (NH4)2 (SO4)2 solution reading in ml for soil
sample.

Available P2O5: It was estimated by Bray and Kurtz Method (1949). 2.5 g soil was taken and was mixed with 25
ml NH4F solution and 1 g of Darco G-60 and shaken for 5 minutes. Then it was filtered. 5 ml of extract was taken
in 25 ml volumetric flask and was mixed with 5.0 ml of ammonium molybdate solution. 10 ml distilled water was
then added to it and stirred. The mixture was kept 10 minutes for completion of reaction process. Now, 1 ml of
SnCl2 working solution were added to it and made up to 25 ml mark of the flask by distilled water. It was allowed
to stand for 3 minutes and readings were taken by Colorimeter (Model: Systronix Photoelectric Colorimeter 115).

Available K2O: Following Jackson (1973) method 5 g of soil was taken in 100 ml conical flask and was mixed
with 25 ml of 1 (N) ammonium acetate solution. It was shaken for 5 minutes and filtered. 5 ml of extract was
taken in a 25 ml funnel top test tube and was made up to 25 ml by distilled water. Reading was taken by flame
photometer (Model: Systronix Flame Photometer 130). Calculation: (Reading-Blank reading) x 5 (factor)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

In the soil with higher pH value the organic matters are decomposed very slowly. As a result undecomposed
organic matter accumulated in a bulk in the soil and the plant nutrients are tied up particularly nitrogen. This happens due
to non-functioning of the beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms cannot play their role in decomposition of
organic matters in acid soil. The test results on soil pH of 2319 nos of soil samples were recorded and presented in the table
1. The results indicated that the soil of this district under the old alluvial zone is mostly acidic in nature. 2246 (97%) no. of
soil samples out of 2319 showed acidic pH value during 2011 to 2015 where neutral pH and alkaline pH values were
recorded in 55 (2%) and 18 (1%) no. of soil samples respectively.
Table 1: pH Value of Old Alluvial Soil
Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Total

No. of Soil
Samples
520
318
610
376
495
2319

Acidic
pH
501
305
595
370
475
2246

Neutral
pH
14
10
11
5
15
55

Alkaline
pH
5
3
4
1
5
18

% of
Acidic pH
96
96
98
98
96
97

% of
Neutral pH
3
4
2
2
3
2

% of
Alkaline pH
1
0
0
0
1
1

Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is an indicative character of soil health. Actually it is the measure of the amount
of salts in the soil. Measuring EC can be an indicative factor for determining amount of available nitrogen in non-saline
soil. Like soil pH, soil EC is also affects the activity of soil microorganism which ultimately put a mark in the plant
nutrient availability. Excessive salt in the soil hinder the germineability and subsequently plant growth. Excess salt causes
soil-water imbalance which may be a result of quality of irrigation water applied to the field and management of land.
Naturally the soils containing excess salts occur in arid and semiarid zone.

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Table 2: Status of Electrical Conductivity in Old Alluvial Soil

Value of EC(Ds/m) in
% of Total No. of Soil
No. of
No. of Soil Samples
Samples
Soil
Samples Normal
CG
CPG Normal CG CPG
2011
520
519
1
0
100
0
0
2012
318
318
0
0
100
0
0
2013
610
601
9
0
99
1
0
2014
376
376
0
0
100
0
0
2015
495
493
2
0
100
0
0
Total
2319
2307
12
0
99
1
0
CG=Critical for growth; CPG= Critical for germination
Year

The values of EC of soil samples were recorded and presented in the Table 2. 2307 out of 2319 soil samples were
found suitable for normal germination and crop growth. Negligible percentage among total number of soil sample analyzed
during 2011 to 2015 showed critical for growth. No such soil sample was found showing the EC value which is critical for
germination. The data revealed that the soil of this old alluvial zone is suitable for normal germination of seed and crop
growth. 99% of the total number of soil sample showed normal value of EC of soil. It implied no salinity or sodic
properties were characterized to the soil of this zone.
Mineralization is the process which makes nutrients to plant in available form, is greatly influenced by soil
organic carbon. So soil organic carbon has the tremendous effect on plant growth by acting as a source of energy. Soil
organic carbon fractions in the active pool, are the main source of energy and nutrients for soil microorganisms. Humus
participates in aggregate stability, and nutrient and water holding capacity. Besides soil colour and soil water holding
capacity the total organic carbon has a bigger role in cation and anion exchange capacity. Soil organic carbon is the food
source of the soil microorganisms. So organic carbon controls the energetic activity microbes and ultimately it helps to
improve soil stability as the microorganism binds soil particles and converts in to aggregates. Application of organic matter
in a large quantity can increase the organic fraction of the soil temporarily and in withheld of addition will revert back to
its equilibrium steady state. Organic addition decays rapidly in hot, aerated and moist condition, so the addition to be
maintained for stability. Soil organic fraction generally increases if the decomposition rate is slower and the addition of
organic matter is higher and if the decomposition rate is faster and the addition is lower, the soil organic fraction decreases.
Albrecht et al., 1997; Wander et al., 1994 also reported that varying soil organic matter forms (i.e., active or passive)
accumulate and decompose at different rates. The values in the Table 3 revealed that each and every year during the study,
the soil of the old alluvial zone showed higher percentage of soil samples with low in organic carbon value. On an average
85% of the total soil sample showed low organic carbon value. This might be due to lower pH value of the soil sample
analyzed at the laboratory.
Table 3: Organic Carbon Status of the Old Alluvial Soil

Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Total
Impact Factor (JCC): 4.8136

No. of
Soil
Samples
520
318
610
376
495
2319

Value of Organic C in No. of

Soil Samples
Low
Medium
High
(<0.5) (0.5-0.75) (>0.75)
410
91
19
260
48
10
548
27
35
321
31
24
421
61
13
1960
258
101

% of Total No. of Soil

Samples
Low

Medium

High

79
81
90
86
85
85

18
16
4
8
12
11

3
3
6
6
3
4
NAAS Rating: 3.53

Evaluation of Soil Fertility Status in Old Alluvial Zone of West Bengal

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Low

Medium

High

% of Organic Carbon
Figure 2: Graphical Representation of % of Total Number Soil Samples
Showing Organic Carbon Status in Old Alluvial Zone
Soil phosphorus has many cycle in different forms some are readily available and some are not available to the
plants. In acid soil the phosphorus are fixed by the aluminium and iron which limits the phosphorus availability to the
plant. Phosphorus is also unavailable to the plants in pH ranges between 7.5 and 8.5. Soils with inherent neutral pH value
ranges between 6.0 and 7.5 are ideal for plant in regard to availability of phosphorus. Phosphorus has a vital role in plant
growth. Phosphorus helps the plant to transfer energy which is produced in photosynthesis for its growth and reproductive
process. It also gives the plant a hardiness in cold season, promotes root growth. Soil test is the best indicator of
phosphorus cycle present in the soil and the availability status of phosphorus to the plant which can be helpful in fertilizer
application.
Table 4: Available P2O5 (in kg ha-1) Status in Old Alluvial Soil

Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Total

No. of
Soil
Samples
520
318
610
376
495
2319

Value of P2O5 in No. of

Soil Samples
Low
Medium High
(<45)
(45-90)
(>90)
375
131
14
182
128
8
325
269
16
192
172
13
335
148
12
1409
848
62

% of Total No. of Soil

Samples
Low

Medium

High

73
58
54
52
68
61

25
40
44
45
30
37

2
2
2
3
2
2

The year wise data presented in the table 4 shows that maximum number soil samples (1409) are in low range
category group compared to other category. 61% and 37% of total soil sample analyzed showed low and medium value of
available phosphorus in Dakshin Dinajpur district of old alluvial zone respectively whereas only 2% of total soil sample
collected showed high value. At high soil pH values, the precipitation of insoluble calcium phosphates may decrease
phosphate availability (Heynes, 1982). Since Al toxicity is characterized by the inhibition of the uptake, translocation and
utilization of phosphate by plants, liming often increases the utilization of soil phosphate by plants through amelioration.

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70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Low

Medium

High

% of P2O5
Figure 3: Graphical Representation of % of Total Number Soil Samples
Showing Available P2O5 Status in Old Alluvial Zone
The solubility and mobility of the plant nutrients in the soil are similar in some respect but vary in an extent
depending on soil minerals involved. Particularly kind of minerals plays an important role in building characteristics of
plant nutrient in the soil. Though most mineral soils contain great extent of potassium, potentially much of the total
potassium is in soil minerals become available to the plants very slowly. Potassium does not have too much role in organic
matter-plant combination like nitrogen. A very small extent of potassium is associated to soil organic matter. Data
presented in the table 5 shows that 1572 no of soil samples out of 2319 (68%) are indicating towards high value of
available K2O followed by 26% of total soil sample showing medium value. Only 6% of the total soil sample analyzed
showed low value in available potassium.
Table 5: Available K2O (in kg ha-1) Status in Old Alluvial Soil

Year

No. of
Soil
Samples

Value of K2O in No. of Soil

Samples
Low
Medium
High
(<150) (150-340) (>340)
18
89
413

% of Total No. of Soil

Samples
Low

Medium

High

17

80

2011

520

2012

318

118

194

37

61

2013

610

49

211

350

34

58

2014

376

25

67

284

18

76

2015

495

56

108

331

11

22

67

Total

2319

154

593

1572

26

68

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.8136

NAAS Rating: 3.53

Evaluation of Soil Fertility Status in Old Alluvial Zone of West Bengal

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Low

Medium

High

% of K2O
Figure 4: Graphical Representation of % of Total Number Soil Samples
Showing Available K2O Status in Old Alluvial Zone

CONCLUSIONS
It may be concluded that the soil of the old alluvial zone of Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal is
characterized by acidic in pH with no salinity or sodic properties, low in organic carbon, low in available phosphate and
high in available potash. Proper ameliorative measures are to be taken for making the plant nutrients available in the soil.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Each and every personnel of the soil testing laboratory of regional research station under old alluvial zone and
Dakshin Dinajpur Krishi Vigyan Kendra who were engaged in collection, analyses of soil samples during the period
2011-2015 are thankfully acknowledged.
REFERENCES
1.

Agboola, A. & Ayodele, O. (1987). Soil test calibration for upland rice in south western Nigeria. Nutrient cycling Agrosyst.
14:227-234.

2.

Albrecht, S. L., H. L. M. Baune, P. E. Rasmussen, and C. L. Douglas, Jr. (1997). Light fraction soil organic matter in longterm agroecosystems. Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Annual Report. Spec. Rpt. 977: 38-42.

3.

Bourguignon, C. (2005). Regeneration the soil. Other India Press, Goa, India, pp.62

4.

Bray, R. H. & Kurtz, L. T. (1949). Determination of total, organic and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Sci. 59, 3945.

5.

Heynes, R. H. (1982). Effects of liming on phosphate availability in acid soils. Plant and Soil. 68:289.

6.

Jackson, M. L. (1973). Methods of Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice Hall Inc. New Delhi.

7.

Walkley, A. J. & Black, C. A. (1934). Estimation of soil organic carbon by chromic acid titration method. Soil Sci. 37:29-38.

8.

Wander, M. M., S. J. Traina, B. R. Stinner, & S. E. Peters. (1994). Organic and conventional management effects on
biologically active soil organic matter pools. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 58: 1130-1139

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