Brainstorming session on amelioration of acid soils of eastern India

ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal in collaboration with ICAR- National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, organized a brainstorming session on amelioration of acid soils of eastern India on 11th August, 2017 at ICAR-NBSS&LUP, Kolkata.

Dr. D.D. Patra, Vice-Chancellor,  Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, in his inaugural address said acid soils of eastern India have idiosyncratic problems which need to be addressed with locally adaptable, practicable and economically viable technology interventions.

Dr. S. K. Chaudhari, Assistant Director General (SW&M) emphasized upon the need of enlisting the region specific problems and possible interventions occurring in the acid soils of eastern India.

Dr. Ashok K. Patra, Director, ICAR-IISS, Bhopal briefed about the acid soils of eastern India, and the associated problems.

Dr. S K Singh, ICAR-NBSSLUP, Nagpur highlighted the importance of village level planning and role the NBSSLUP in developing land resource inventory and GIS database.

Scientists/experts from four states viz., West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha, project coordinators (AICRPs) from ICAR-IISS, Bhopal, experts from IPNI and IFFCO, state department officials from West Bengal participated in the session.

Recommendations:

• Acid soils of eastern India should be characterized on the basis of extent of Ca & P deficiency and toxicity of heavy metals and should be mapped agro-ecoregion wise for which an action plan need to be developed.
• Liming materials used for the amelioration of acid soils should be properly characterized and their specifications should be entered in the Fertilizer Control Order.
• New liming materials such as biochar need to be researched and their field level impact should be evaluated.
• A database of all the possible ameliorants for acid soils need to be created.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal)