| Author | Pandey, Niru Dahal |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AE-95-44 |
| Subject(s) | Soil fertility--Nepal
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of
Science |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This study was done in Dhading Besi area to see the effect of farmers' practices on soil
fertility management over the years in Middle Mountain region of Nepal. It attempts to measure
the effect of socioeconomic condition, farming system on soil fertility management, farmers'
constraints and priorities under the condition of operations and change in soil fertility status such
as pH, percentage of organic matter, percentage of total nitrogen, available phosphorus,
potassium and texture over the years from 1978 to 1995.
Based on base line data, soil samples were collected from three sites of the study area
Nilkantha "A" , Sangkos and Nilkantha "B" at an elevation of 660 meters, 720 meters and 760
meters respectively.
The results of analysis show that the socioeconomic conditions had significant effect on
soil fertility management but farming system as such had no significant relation to soil fertility
status as they were practicing similar farming system. Farmers had different priorities for inputs,
services and technology under the condition of operations. Farmers had constraints regarding soil
fertility management such as fertilizer technology and soil testing services. There was a change
in soil fertility status over the years. The change in soil pH was negative and significant over
the years in all the three sites. The texture remains same as before in all the three sites. The
change in organic matter and total nitrogen were positive and significant over the years in
Nilkantha "A" and Sangkos sites due to increase the application of Farm yard manure in low
lands. The changes in case of Nilkantha "B" were not statistically significant. The physiography
of this site is described as lower hill slope and loss of nutrients may be more than other two sites
due to soil erosion.
These findings show that the farmers manage their soil fertility status with their limited
resources satisfactory but there is a need for better soil fertility management to keep up with the
need for higher production in the future. |
| Year | 1995 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Upasena, S.H.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Boonjit Titapiwatanakun;Preeda Pakpian; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DANIDA; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1995 |