RAJSHAHI: Uses of organic and compost fertilizer in the farming can protect the soil nutrients and enhance productivity, reports BSS. Plant and animal waste based fertilizer has a vital role in protecting the soil nutrients being declined due to repeated crop farming, soil scientists and agriculture researchers suggest this while talking to BSS. Besides, massive cultivation of high yielding and hybrid varieties of crops and vegetables, disproportionate use of chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides for repeated crop harvesting is behind the damage of soil nutrients. They observed that less use of organic matter and little or no use of leguminous green manure and bio- fertilizers remain as the degrading factors.
Mahabubur Rahman, scientific officer of Regional Laboratory of Soil Resource Development Institute, said soil test based balanced fertilization can overcome the crisis through restoring plant nutrient in the soil. Quoting his research findings he said depletion of soil organic matter aggravate soil fertility and the soil degradation decline crop productivity.
He mentioned that optimum level of organic matter is a must to grow and maintain positive soil properties and supports plant growth. Sufficient organic matters create positive soil where plants can take necessary nutrients from soil. Chemical fertilizers act as the storehouse of nutrient elements and produce all plant nutrient elements.
Mahabubur Rahman said organic matter improves the chemical and physical properties as binding agent and enhances a favorable air- water status of soil from which plant and micro-organisms can take air, water and nutrient elements.
Organic elements enhance microbial activity by serving as energy source and the microbiological transformations like nitrogen and sulfur mineralization side by side improving properties including the water and nutrient holding capacity.
“Input and output balance of plant nutrient elements should be equal for maintaining the nutrient status of the soil,” said Rafiqul Islam, Project Director (Agriculture) of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority. He said if the present practices of indiscriminate and disproportionate uses of chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides prolong, it can cause permanent yield decline and soil degradation.