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SOIL FERTILITY AND SALINITY STATUS OF ATTOCK DISTRICT

Obaid-ur-Rehman, Bashir Ahmad* and Sher Afzal**

ABSTRACT
A total of 20711 soil samples collected from all tehsils of Attock district (6696 samples from tehsil Attock, 2917 from Fateh Jang, 2582 from Pindi Gheb, 5552 from Jand and 2964 samples from Hassan Abdal) were tested in Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Attock, Pakistan during 2004-05 to 2007-08. Samples were analysed for different parameters like soil reaction (pH1:10), electrical conductivity (EC1:10), soil texture, soil organic matter (SOM) and plant available phosphorus (Olsen-P). The results revealed that pH, ranged between 7.5-8.5 in 94.62 percent samples while 99.60 percent samples were normal with respect to salinity/sodicity (EC < 4 dS/m and SAR < 15). Similarly 21.15 percent samples were light (sandy loam) and 78.70 percent were medium (loam) in texture. Soils were poor in organic matter (91.32% samples had less than 0.86% OM) and available phosphorus (99.49% samples had less than 7 mg P/kg soil). Depending upon the soil analyses, farmers were guided and fertilizer recommendations were served according to crop, soil and water/rainfall conditions for harvesting higher yield of different crops. KEYWORDS: Soils; soil fertility; salinity; soil texture; Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION Attock, previously named as Campbellpur, comprises six tehsils with 72 union councils and is located at 33 46' 20 N Latitude and 72 22' 6 E Longitude. It is spread at an altitude of 348 meters (1145 feet) from sea level. Total estimated population of the district was 1518000 by the end 2008 of which 80 percent is rural and 20 percent urban (14). Annual average rainfall for the last five years (2004-08) of Attock district is 694 mm (1029 mm in Hassan Abdal, 711 mm in Attock, 825 mm in Fateh Jang, 544 mm in Jand and 360 mm in Pindi Gheb tehsils). On an average, rainfall is scanty, uncertain and unevenly distributed and is mostly received in monsoon season. In winter, minimum temperature falls below 0C with frost while maximum temperature exceeds 45C in summer. Crop sector consists of 7-8 crops [wheat, chickpea, lentil and rapeseed in winter (rabi) while groundnut, maize, mung, mash in summer
*Agricultural Officers (Lab.), **Agricultural Officer (Field), Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Attock, Pakistan.

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(kharif) with some area under vegetables (potato, peas, onions, garlic) and orchards (citrus, peach, grapes, etc.)]. The detail of area, yield and production of major rabi and kharif crops in district Attock are given in Annexure-I (1). According to latest statistics, total geographical area of district Attock is 692000 hectares with cultivated area of 318000 hectares. Total net cropped area is 23000 hectares of which 70 percent is for rabi and 30 percent for kharif crops (9). As regards nutrient use in Attock, 35 kg NPK per hectare per annum is used with N:P ratio of 4.40:1 against recommended ratio of 2:1(Annexure-II). So the present nutrient use rate is far below the recommendation and it is further skewing in favour of nitrogen. Soil fertility status varies with nature of cropping pattern and management practices. In Pakistan, entire available soil is almost nutrient deficient (5). Soils are generally deficient in organic matter content reflecting the severe deficiency of nitrogen (almost 100 %) with phosphorus deficiency in more than 90 percent soils and potassium in 50 percent soils (Annexure-III). Micronutrients; zinc, boron and iron are also emerging as deficient (7). Ahmad and Khan (1) declared that 75-92 percent soils of Pakistan are deficient in organic matter (0-1%), 70-95 percent in phosphates and 20-60 percent soils in potash. Crop yield increases 30-50 percent with balanced fertilization and production with 50 percent balanced fertilizer adoption can be increased by 20 percent of current national production (2). Soil fertility status of Attock (16, 17), Rawalpindi (12) and Gujrat (15) has shown that soils are deficient in organic matter and available phosphorus and fertilizer recommendations/application on the basis of soil tests are pre-requisite for higher crop yields. Furrukh et al. (11) studied farmers fertility management pattern with available resources and technology like chemical fertilizers, land type, cropping pattern, fallow system and cultural practices. Farmers in rainfed tract of northern Punjab (Pakistan) i.e. Potohar Plateau, classify their lands into two main types, Lepara (near the homestead with more organic matter) and Mera (far from homestead with less or no organic matter) on the basis of FYM application. The objective of present study is to assess the soil fertility and salinity status of Attock district for formulation of optimum fertilizer recommendations for different crops grown in the area. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted in Soil and Water Testing Laboratory, Attock, Pakistan during 2004-08. Composite soil samples from all tehsils of district Attock (Attock = 6696, Fateh Jang = 2917, Pendi Ghab = 2582, Jand = 5552
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and Hassan Abdal = 2964 samples) were collected from 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths for crops and vegetables while 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, 90-120 and 120-150 cm depths for fruit plants and orchards. Samples were air-dried, ground and passed through a 2 mm sieve and analysed for physical and chemical properties. Soil texture was determined by measuring soil saturation percentage (13). Similarly soil reaction (pH) and electrical conductivity (EC) were recorded with pH meter and EC meter, respectively by making soil and water suspension of 1:10 (13). Samples were also analysed for organic matter (10) and extractable phosphorus (18). The criteria used for the classification is given in Table 1 as described by Malik et al. (13).
Table 1. Criteria of parameters used for classification. (a) Soil texture Saturation percentage 0-20 21-30 31-45 46-65 65-100 Status Normal (salts free) Saline Saline sodic Sodic Status Poor Satisfactory Adequate Source: Malik et al. (13) Textural class Sand Sandy loam Loam Clay loam Clay (b) Soil salinity/sodicity pH < 8.5 < 8.5 > 8.5 > 8.5 (c) Nutrient status Organic matter (%) < 0.86 0.86-1.29 > 1.29 EC (dS/m) <4 >4 >4 <4

Olsen P (mg/kg soil) 0-8 8-15 > 15

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Soil texture The results (Table 2) showed that 21.15 percent soils in Attock district were sandy loam and 78.70 percent soils were loam in texture. Heavy textured soils (clay loam) were noticed at few sites (0.15 %). In tehsil Attock, 11.92 percent soils were sandy loam and 87.78 percent soils were loam. In tehsils Fateh Jang and Hassan Abdal, 99.93 and 99.40 percent soils were loam, respectively. In Pindi Gheb, 32.50 percent soils were sandy loam and 67.31 percent soils were loam. In tehsil Jand, 49.17 percent soils were sandy loam
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while 50.83 percent soils were loam. This shows that soils are quite heterogeneous and variable in texture. Regarding ranges (Table 3a & b), minimum saturation percentage (18%) appeared in tehsil Jand while maximum (86 %) was found in tehsil Attock. These results are in conformity with those of Rehman et al. (17) and Pervaiz et al. (15). Dissolved salts (electrical conductivity) Dissolved salts in soils create hindrance in normal nutrient uptake process by imbalance of ions, antagonistic and osmotic effects. Normally for research purpose, electrical conductivity of soil extract (ECe) is used for total dissolved salts but for assessing soil salinity and sodicity for advisory purpose, a soilwater suspension of EC1:10 is normally used as described in the manual of Malik et al. (13). Various workers (12, 15, 17) used the same method for electrical conductivity. However, EC1:10 is converted to ECe by multiplying with the factor Saturation percentage/100 as described by US Salinity Lab. Staff (4). The data (Table 2) showed that 99.60 percent of soil samples analysed in district Attock were free from salinity/sodicity. All tehsils showed similar trend i.e. > 99 percent soils had total dissolved salts in normal range except a few sites (0.38 %) which were sodic in nature. Regarding ranges of EC (Table 3a & b), minimum value (0.02 dS/m) was observed in tehsil Attock while maximum value (9.50 dS/m) was noticed in tehsil Fateh Jang during the year 2004-05. However, higher EC was also observed in tehsil Pindi Gheb (4.20 dS/m) and Jand (4.96 dS/m). Attock and Hassan Abdal tehsils had low dissolved salts i.e. EC < 1.70 and 1.50 dS/m, respectively. The reason for low accumulation of salts in soils is that texture of the most of soils is sandy loam to loam and high and sporadic rainfall in monsoon season leaches / washes the salts, if any, from the root zone. The drainage is also very good due to high slopes. Salt affected area was negligible in Campbellpur (renamed as Attock) as per survey carried out during 1971 (14) but with the passage of time, no considerable increase in salt affected area was observed which might be due to soil texture. These results are in line with those of Rehman et al. (17) and Mahmood et al. (12). Soil reaction (pH) The results (Table 2) further revealed that 5 percent soils at district level had pH < 7.5, which are considered as the best for agricultural use especially for growing high value crops, fruits and vegetables. Similarly 94.62 percent soils had pH 7.5-8.5. These soils are also good for agriculture but pH towards

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higher side (i.e. > 8.2) has some limitations for high value crops. Soils having pH > 8.5 need special attention and some suitable amendment (acid or gypsum) is to be applied for their reclamation according to the soil gypsum requirement. Such soils in Attock district are very few (0.38 %). Regarding pH ranges, minimum (6.5) and maximum (9.6) values were found in tehsil Attock in different years (Table 3a & b). However, pH > 8.5 was noticed in soils of all tehsils but their extent is very low. As the pH of soils is alkaline due to the indigenous parent material, calcareousness and low organic matter, this situation is similar in almost all soils. These results are supported by the findings of earlier workers (12, 15, 16, 17). Organic matter Higher organic matter reflects the higher crops yield. The data (Table 2) showed that 91.32 percent soils in Attock district were poor and only 7.82 percent were satisfactory with respect to organic matter. Soils in tehsil Jand were found deficient (98.52 %) in organic matter while 17.88 percent soils in tehsil Hassan Abdal were satisfactory in organic matter. With regards to ranges traces of organic matter were found in some soils of tehsils Attock and Jand (Table 3a & b) while maximum organic matter was present (2.41 %) in tehsil Attock followed by tehsil Fateh Jang (2.36 %). The reason for low organic matter in these tehsils is that temperature in summer exceeds 45 C due to which its decomposition rate is increased. Also farmers generally do not use farm yard manure and remove crops totally (grain plus straw) from soils leaving it fallow. The trend of green manuring is also not observed. These results are in line with those of earlier scientists (1, 12, 15, 16, 17) who found that soils in these areas are deficient in organic matter. Plant available phosphorus With regards to phosphorus availability to plants, the results (Table 2) showed that 99.49 percent soils of Attock district were poor in this nutrient. All tehsils had similar trend and were quite deficient in plant available phosphorus. Traces of plant available phosphorus were found in some soils of tehsil Jand while maximum value (19.2 mg P/ kg) was observed in soils of tehsil Pindi Gheb followed by Fateh Jang (17.0 mg p/kg) and Hassan Abdal (16 mg P/kg) tehsils. The reasons for poor plant available phosphorus is that farmers do not apply phosphatic fertilizers to crops according to recommendations and only nitrogenous fertilizers are applied due to price hike of phosphatic fertilizers. N:P ratios described in annexure-II clarifies the position. Current agronomic recommendations rate among NPK should be 1:0.6:0.4 but presently it is stagnant at 1:0.3:0.01 and percent share of urea in fertilizer off-take is 68 while that of DAP is 17 (7). These results coincide with the findings of previous scientists (1, 7, 12, 15, 16, 17) according to which soils in this tract are poor in available phosphorus.
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RECOMMENDATIONS Soil organic matter level and soil fertility status may be increased by green manuring (sesbania, guar, etc.) once in three years. With this practice, the sufficient moisture can be preserved for rabi crops (wheat, canola, etc). Inorganic fertilizers (NPK) should be applied in balanced form according to soil test value and their use efficiency can be increased by band placement for row-sown crops. Recommendations for district Attock on the basis of results are given below. Nutrients recommendations for different crops.
(a) Arable crops and vegetables Crop Mode of irrigation/ category of farmers Progressive farmers Irrigated Rainfed (Tehsils Jand and Pindi Gheb) Rainfed (Tehsils Attock and Hazro) Rainfed (Tehsils Hassan Abdal and Fateh Jang) Chickpea Lentil/mung/mash Maize Rainfed Rainfed Irrigated Poor Low rainfall (< 350 mm) Medium rainfall (351-500 mm) High rainfall (> 500 mm) Poor soil Poor soil Fertility status/rainfall Fertilizer rate (kg/acre) N P K 64 44 25 52 23 34 46 46 23 23 34 25 25 25 25

Wheat

12 12 68 51 54 40 9 27 23 46 92 69 46 50 12

37 23 54 40 41 31 36 14 12 27 46 34 23 36 36

0 0 41 34 0 0 28 0 0 25 75 50 25 25 12

Poor Medium Rainfed Poor Medium Groundnut Poor Millet Poor Sorghum Poor Raya Poor Potato Poor Medium Onion Medium Tomato Medium Peas Medium Source: Soil Fertility Survey and Soil Testing Institute, Punjab, Lahore.
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(b) Citrus Age of plant FYM N P K Zn

(kg/plant/year) (g/plant/ year) At plantation 20 0 0 0 0 1 year 0 0 0 0 0 2 years 10 125 0 0 0 3 years 15 250 125 0 0 4 years 20 500 250 0 0 5-9 years 40 1000 500 500 50 > 10 years 60 1500 750 500 50 All P, K and Zn to be applied with FYM in December every year below the canopy of the plant but one meter away from the stem of tree. Fertilizers and FYM to be mixed in the soil with hoeing to be followed by irrigation. Half N to be applied in March and remaining half N to be applied by the end of June or beginning of July. Source: NFDC, 2003 (6). (c) Deciduous fruits (peach) FYM N P K Zn Fe (kg/plant/year) (g/plant/ year) At plantation 20 0 180 0 20 25 1 year 0 150 0 0 0 0 2 years 0 150 0 0 0 0 3 years 0 200 0 0 0 0 4 years 25 250 225 225 20 25 5 years 30 250 225 225 0 0 6 years 40 300 225 225 20 25 All P, K, Zn and Fe to be applied with FYM in December every year below the canopy of the plant but away from the stem of tree. Fertilizers and FYM to be mixed in the soil with hoeing to be followed by irrigation. Nitrogen in two splits i.e. mid February and mid March should be applied. Source: NFDC, 2003 (6). Age of plant

REFERENCES 1. Ahmad, N. and A. A. Khan. 2006. Nutrient management for sustainable agriculture in Pakistan. In: Poster Session. IFA Conference Optimizing Resource Use Efficiency for Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture. Feb. 27-March 4, 2006; Kunming, China. Anon. 2006. Balanced fertilization through phosphate promotion at farm level; Impact on crop production. Final Report on three phases of trials (1987-2005). NFDC, Islamabad. Anon. 2009. Data on area, yield and production of major rabi and kharif crops. Personal Communication, District Officer, Extension Wing, Agriculture Department, Attock.

2.

3.

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4.

5. 6. 7.

8. 9. 10.

11.

12. 13.

14.

15. 16. 17.

18.

Anon. 1954. Diagnosis and Improvement of Saline and Alkali Soils. USDA Handbook No. 60, U. S. Salinity Lab. Staff. Washington, DC, USA. p. 16-17. Anon. 2008. Economic Survey of Pakistan. Govt. of Pakistan, Islamabad. Anon. 2003. Fertilizers and their Use in Pakistan. Training Bulletin. 3rd Ed. NFDC, Islamabad. Anon. 2008b. Fertilizer use efficiency and crop productivity: where we stand and what should be done (Panel discussion). Proc. Symp. Balanced Fertilizer Use: Impact on Crop Production Oct. 30-31, 2006. NFDC, Islamabad. Anon. 2008a. Pakistan Fertilizer Related Statistics. Review Report 01/2008 Statistical Bulletin. NFDC, Islamabad. Anon. 2008. Punjab Development Statistics. Govt. of the Punjab, Lahore. Cottenie, A. M., G. Velgis and I. Kicken. 1979. Analytical Method for Plant and Soils. Laboratory of Analytical and Agro-chemistry. State University, Belgium. Furrukh, A. M., I. Saeed, M. Dawson and Z. Ahmad. 1992. Farmers rationale for fertility moisture management in rainfed Punjab (Pakistan). J. Agric. Res. 30 (3): 371-379. Mahmood, T., H. Mahmood, M. R. Raja and K. H. Gill. 1998. Soil fertility status of Rawalpindi district. Pak. J. Soil Sci. 14 (1-2): 66-69. Malik, D. M., M. A. Khan and T. A. Chaudhry. 1984. Analysis Manual for Soils, Plants and Waters. Rapid Soil Fertility Survey and Soil Testing Institute, Lahore, Pakistan. Muhammed, S. 1978. Salt affected soils of Pakistan. Proc. Workshop/Seminar on Membrane Bio-Physics and Salt Tolerance in Plants. Qureshi et al. (eds.), Univ. Agric., Faisalabad. Pervaiz, Z., S. S. H. Kazmi, K. H. Gill and M. Mukhtar. 2002. Soil fertility and salinity status of Gujrat district. Pak. J. Soil Sci. 21 (1-2): 11-14. Rehman, O., A. A. Sheikh and K. H. Gill. 2000. Available phosphorus and pH status of Attock soils. Pak. J. Agri. Sci. 37 (1-2): 74-76. Rehman, O., K. H. Gill, M. R. Raja, A. Hussain and G. M. Din. 1995. Soil fertility and salinity status of Attock district. Sarhad J. Agric. 11 (3): 355-362. Watanabe, F. S. and S. R. Olsen. 1965. Test of an ascorbic acid method for determining phosphorus in water and sodium bicarbonate extract from soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Pro. 29: 405-410.

Annexure I J. Agric. Res., 2010, 48(4)

Soil fertility status of Attock district Area, Production and Yield of Major Crops (a) Rabi Crops Name of crop Wheat Area/Production/ average yield Area (acres) Production (tons) Av. yield (kg) Area (acres) Production (tones) Av. yield (kg) Area (acres) Production (toes) Av. Yield (kg) Area (acres) Production (tons) Av. yield (kg) 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 375115 336853 898 13273 3780.15 284.8 8185 2799.27 342 1907 277.27 145.40 2007 58408 14602 250 140 143 102 0 0 0 15351 8596 560 2007-08 395000 173800 440 13275 2124 180 8350 2000 300 1920 1536 80 2008 58850 23540 400 80 9.6 120 50 6.5 130 14756 8559 580

515

2008-09 419000 335200 800 12000 3552 296 9430 3206 340 2100 588 280 2009 57400 13776 240 30 3.09 103 35 4.375 125 15225 7308 480 Annexure-II

Chickpea

Oilseed

Lentil

343544 368840 3091090 265564.80 900 720 8759 11218 2627 2692.32 300 240 12715 13410 4068 2365.20 320 180 861 1210 206 242 240 200 (b) Kharif Crops

2004 2005 Area (acres) 58355 60170 Groundnut Production (tons) 21007 168476 Av. yield (kg) 360 280 Area (acres) 296 273 Mung Production (tons) 35.52 30.03 Av. yield (kg) 120 110 Area (acres) 48 350 Mash Production (tons) 7.68 45.5 Av. yield (kg) 160 130 Area (acres) 32400 21286 Maize Production (tons) 184680 117073 Av. yield (kg) 570 550 Source: Extension Wing, Agriculture Department, Attock.

2006 58810 14114 240 217 22.78 105 125 15 120 16755 8378 500

District-wise nutrient use rate during 2006-07 (kg/ha) NPK (kg/ha) < 50 Pakistan 22 Punjab 8 Districts Attock = 35, Chakwal = 11, Jhelum = 25, Khushab = 19, Mianwali = 47, Bhakkar = 33, Rawalpindi = 45, Islamabad = 19 Sargodha = 71, Jhang = 99, Gujrat = 84, Sialkot = 85, Mandi Bahaudddin = 79 Multan = 313, Rajanpur = 230, Lahore = 215, Sahiwal = 200, Rahim Yar Khan = 209

51-100 > 100 Total Year 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Urea 9950 9920 8575 9924 12740 19938 12325

17 52 91 CAN 2910 3890 3060 945 710 217 886

5 22

35 Fertilizers (t) sold in Attock NP MAP DAP 1270 0 2517 2260 0 727 1402 0 548 702 0 1466 735 70 1215 34 0 1668 836 0 2648 Nutrient-wise offtake (t) in Attock

SSP 160 80 180 380 170 380 260

NPK 0 0 0 15 192 153 150

Total 16807 16877 13765 12752 15832 22390 17138

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O. Rehman et al. Nitrogen 6079 6225 5161 4925 6460 9555 6579 Cropped area 000 ha 229.7 229.7 224.3 224.8 240.1 240.1 231.0 Phosphates Potash 1479 0 869 0 607 0 907 3 840 30 886 16 1497 18 Nutrient use rate (kg/ha) Attock Punjab Total 7558 7094 5768 5835 7329 10456 8094 Pakistan 128.80 133.00 135.85 147.50 161.00 168.90 158.70 Pakistan 3.61 3.75 3.23 3.44 2.71 Annexure III Nutrient deficiency extent in soils and fertilizer use efficiency

Year 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Year 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07

Year 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Source: NFDC, 2008 a (8).

32.90 128.80 30.88 123.46 25.72 128.34 25.90 141.30 30.50 156.70 43.60 162.80 35.00 149.80 N:P Ratios (Recommended 2 : 1) Attock Punjab 8.50 3.36 5.43 3.59 7.69 3.00 10.78 3.39 4.40 2.61

Nutrient Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Zinc Iron Boron Copper

Percent soils deficiency 100 90 50 70 70 50 15

Percent fertilizer use efficiency 40-60 15-20 75-85 4-5 11-15 6-8 3-5

Factors contributing to low fertilizer use efficiency S. No. Factor Percent contribution to low fertilizer use efficiency 10-25 5-20 20-40 20-40 10-25 5-10 20-50 10-20 15-50 5-50

1 Poor seed bed preparation 2 Improper seeding 3 Delayed sowing 4 Inappropriate variety 5 Inadequate plant population 6 Improper fertilizer placement 7 Imbalanced fertilizer use 8 Inadequate irrigation 9 Weed infestation 10 Insect attack Source: NFDC, 2008 b (7).

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