CHARACTERIZATION OF SATLA AND HARTA SOIL SERIES OF SOUTH WEST BANGLADESH

Abstract

Satla and Harta soil series of Terokhada Upazilla were characterized for morphological, physical and chemical properties. The two soil series varies in texture, pH, mottling and cutans. Percentage of sand, silt and clay of the studied soils varies from 0.78 to 16.71, 34.29 to 68.22 and 19.03 to 53.32, respectively. The bulk density and particle density varies from 0.42 to 1.48 g cm-3 and 0.80 to 2.92 g cm-3, respectively.Saturated hydraulic conductivity varies from 0.08 to 5.65 cmhr-1. The rubbed fiber content ranged from 1/5 to 3/5 by volume. The value/chroma ratio ranges from 3/4 to 6/6. The Absorbance Index ranged from 25.5% to 60.3% and classified the organic materials as peat. The H values (von Post Scale) varied from H3 to H5. The pH ranges from 5.8 to 8.2. The EC ranges from 0.45 to 5.08 dSm-1. The CEC ranges from 18.5 to 66.6 C molKg-1 soil. The %OM varies from 1.76 to 11.60%. The total N varies from 0.08 to 0.55%. The available P,S, B and total Zn varies from 7.5 to 42.6 µgg-1 soil, 26.7 to 170 µgg-1 soil, 0.14 to 0.71 µgg-1 soils and 0.05 to 0.44 µgg-1 soil, respectively. The available Ca, Mg and K vary from 2.45 to 12.40 CmolKg-1 , 2.10 to 20.04 CmolKg-1 and 0.13 to 0.46 CmolKg-1, respectively. The chemical data shows that OM%, Mg, S, are of very high and %N, P, K, Ca, Zn and B are of low to medium fertility level where as physical properties of the soils are favorable for agricultural development in limited area.