Abstract:
Field experiments were conducted at Mangalpur VDC of the western Chitwan to evaluate the
effects of different land use systems on soil physical and chemical properties. Six land use
systems [Cultivated upland (cereal based), Cultivated lowland (cereal based), pasture land,
silvipasture, forest land and farmer's managed forestland (fodder land)] were selected and
replicated five times designed in a RCBD method. Soil samples from 0-20 cm depth from the
soil surface were collected from each study site. Soil properties were significantly affected by the
land use systems. Clay content was found greater in fodder land and pasture (11%) compared to
cereal based lowland (5%). Soil bulk density was found highest in fodder land (1.12 g cm-3
) and
the lowest (0.93 g cm-3
) from the cereal based upland. Among the treatments, highest amount of
soil organic matter was found in fodder land (10.72%) and the lowest was in forestland (0.47 %).
A significant difference in pH was observed between different land use systems with range of
soil pH value from 6.3 (Cereal based upland) to 8.5 (pastureland).The total soil nitrogen content
was observed significantly higher from pasture land (0.27 %) than other land use systems and the
lowest was from cereal based upland (0.14 %). available soil phosphorous content was highest
(157.7 kg ha-1
) in fodder land and was the lowest (32.56 kgha-1
) in soils under the pastureland.
Available soil potassium was significantly affected by land use systems with highest potassium
content from forestland (148.4 kg ha-1
) and lowest from that of cereal based lowland (22 kg ha-1
).
Various options for soil fertility management such as pastureland conservation with controlled
grazing, conservation tillage with addition of organic matter, use of leguminous crop, etc. can be
best utilization of resources and help for better productive and sustainable agriculture. |
