Influence of Soil Quality on Summer Paddy Production in the Flood Plain of Morigaon District, Assam, India

Abstract

Rice pre-dominates the rural economy of Assam providing food to more than 25 million people, in addition to generating income and employment directly and indirectly. Cultivation of summer rice in Assam is an age old practice, particularly in the flood plain areas after the water level recedes in the month of January. Soil quality is the fundamental importance for agricultural production. Five paddy lands were selected for soil quality analysis and to co-relate with Boro Rice crop production in Morigaon district of Assam. To achieve these objectives, important soil physico-chemical parameters like soil texture, temperature, moisture content, pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were investigated by standard techniques. The results revealed that soil texture was mostly sandy clay loam. Temperature of soils was found to be between 23°- 25° C.The average moisture content of soils ranged from 10% to 55.5%. The average value of pH of soil samples was found moderately acidic. The average amount of organic carbon ranged from 3.3% to 5.96%. Organic carbon content was found high suggesting healthy soil for crop production. But the major nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium content were found very low. Boro rice production was modest, varying between 520 and 880 kg per bigha. Integrated nutrient management through judicious fertilizer use, organic inputs, and rabi crop diversification may improve soil health and sustain rice-based farming systems.