Soil Science and Chemistry

 

SCIENTISTS :

1.     Dr. S.K. Majumder, Scientist-C (Sectional Head)

  1. Dr. Ranjit Kar, Scientist-C

 

OBJECTIVES: Enhancement of quality mulberry production through soil and nutritional management.

 

ACHIEVEMENTS : 

    

·               Recommendation for doses of N:P2O5:K2O fertilizers and FYM for mulberry growing under irrigated condition has been worked out.

·               Nutritional composition of leaves of various varieties has been studied.

·               Some heterocyclic compounds were isolated and identified from mulberry.

·               It was observed that CAN performed better over Urea at Kishanganj (Bihar).

·               Few materials have been isolated from pupae wastes and faeces.

·               Soil test based ready reckoners for nitrogen fertilizer application for mulberry growing under irrigated Gangetic alluvial soil and rain-fed Red-laterite-gravelly soil have been evolved.

·               Recommendations for doses of lime application for the acid soils of Tarai and Red-laterite-gravelly regions of West Bengal have been made.

·              Soil test based ready reckoners for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers application for mulberry growing under irrigated condition of Berhampore, West Bengal and rain-fed conditions of Ranchi, Koraput, Jorhat and Kalimpong have been developed.

  

RESOURCES :              

·        Auto-Kjeldahl apparatus,

·        Flame photometer,

·        Turbidity meter

 

ONGOING PROJECTS :

PPS 3346 :Studies on the effect of sulphur on mulberry growth, yield, nutrient uptake and soil fertility in the Gangetic plains of Eastern India. (July, 2005 – June, 2009)

Location:    CSR & TI, Berhampore

 

Milestone: To work out effective dose and form of sulphur to enhance the mulberry leaf yield economically in a sulphur deficient soil and also to improve the soil fertility, principally in terms of available sulphur content.

 

PPS3347: Evaluation of soil fertility for sustained production of quality mulberry leaf in Eastern India under long-term fertilization.   (July, 2005 – June, 2010, Initially)

Location:  CSR & TI, Berhampore

 

Milestone: To identify the specific nutrient input package in terms of sustaining leaf productivity of mulberry over the years and maintaining the soil quality as well.

 

CONCLUDED PROJECTS :

01.            Studies on nutritional composition of mulberry leaves.

       Result: Nutritional composition of leaves of various varieties has been    studied.

 

02.             Isolation and identification of different compounds from mulberry.

        Result: Some heterocyclic compounds were isolated and identified.

 

03.   Studies on the effect of CAN on mulberry at Kishanganj (Bihar).

        Result: It was observed that CAN performed better over urea.

 

04.   Studies on by-product utilization.

        Result : Few materials have been isolated from pupae wastes and faeces.

 

05.   Comparative study of different nitrogenous fertilizers with Sufala on leaf yield and nutritive value of mulberry leaf.

 

        Result: Highest dose of nitrogen (300 kg/ha/yr) with Sufala and Urea performed best.

 

06.   Effect of different doses of Ammonium sulphate and lime on soil composition, leaf yield and nutritive value of mulberry leaf.

 

       Result : 900 kg N/ha/yr along with 1.0 mt lime/ha/yr showed the best result.

 

 

MS1: Studies on NPK budgeting for known soil types.

 

Soil types:

·        Gangetic alluvial soil

·        Red-laterite-gravelly soil

          Result: Ready reckoners for nitrogen fertilizer application for irrigated Gangetic alluvial soil and rain-fed Red-laterite-gravelly soil have been evolved.

 

PPS001: Studies on the problematic soils of West Bengal and their amelioration for mulberry cultivation.

 

    Regions:

·        Tarai region

·        Red-laterite-gravelly region

  

    Result: Recommendation for doses of lime application for the acid soils of Tarai and Red-laterite- gravelly regions of West Bengal have been made.

 

PPS3154: Assessment of phosphorus and potassium requirements for mulberry (Morus alba L.) based on Mitscherlich-Bray concept.

     Locations:

·        CSR & TI, Berhampore

·        RSRSs (Ranchi, Koraput, Jorhat and Kalimpong)

 

   Result: Soil test-based ready reckoners for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers application for mulberry growing under irrigated condition of Berhampore, West Bengal and rain-fed conditions of Ranchi, Koraput, Jorhat and Kalimpong have been developed.