SOIL FERTILITY PROBLEMS IN PAKISTAN:

Agriculture sector is performing a vital role in the economy of Pakistan (GDP 21 %). It is the
source of livelihood of millions of people of Pakistan. In the last few decades with the explosive
increase in world population, sustainable agriculture and food security are becoming a serious
threat but our land resources are same and deteriorating day by day. The major aspect of soil
degradation includes poor soil fertility, soil salinity, water logging, soil erosion, soil
contamination, scarcity of essential minerals and steadily depletion of organic matter contents.
Soil salinity is one of the major issues in the agriculture sector of Pakistan. The salt-affected soil
is categorized into three types (saline, sodic and saline-sodic soils).

Soil types and their properties

i. Saline Soils are those soils that contain a high amount of dissolved salts (e.g. NaCl, NaSO4,
CaCl2, CaSO4 etc.) in the soil solution. Its Electric conductivity
is (EC) > 4 dS/m (saturated paste), Ph < 8.5, Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) < 15 and
Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) < 13.2.
ii. Sodic soils contain an excess amount of exchangeable Sodium (Sodium carbonate and
bicarbonate). Its EC is < 4 dS/m (saturated paste), Ph > 8.5, ESP > 15
and SAR < 13.2. Dispersive effect of exchangeable sodium disturbs soil physical properties and
results in plant growth retardation
iii. Saline-Sodic soil contains soluble salts as well as exchangeable sodium. Its EC > 4 dS/m
(saturated paste), Ph > 8.5, ESP > 15 and SAR < 13.2.
At present, the total salt affected soil on the surface of the earth is about 954 million hectares.
Such types of salt affected soils are distributed throughout the world.
More than 80 million hectares of such soils are in Africa, nearly 147 million hectares in
Central, North and South America, 357 million hectares in Australia as
well as 50 million hectares in Europe. Similarly, a large bulk of about 320 million hectares land
in South and Southeast Asia is under the grip of salinity (Dr. Alam
S. M. et al., 2000). Out of 79.7 million hectares (7, 96096 Km2), 22 million hectares area is
under agriculture. It is estimated that out of this 22 million hectares,
6.28 million hectares (28.54 %) area is salt affected (total 7.88 %). About 1.89 million hectare
is saline, 0.28 million hectare is sodic and 3.05 million hectare is
saline-sodic
Owing to the unbalanced and insufficient use of fertilisers, the natural reserves of organic matter
in the land has dropped down to alarming levels to reduce soil fertility, a technical survey by the
Punjab agriculture department has revealed.

Per the survey, the soil has become extremely deficient in potassium and other minerals because
of which the productivity of crops is not increasing.

A laboratory testing of two million terrestrial samples collected from throughout the province
has proved that nitrogen levels in the soil have gone down to 98%, phosphorus deficiency has
touched 90%, deficiency of potassium has reached 53% while zinc levels have gone down to
70%. Moreover, out of one million agricultural tube wells surveyed, water from 66% of them
was found to be unfit for agricultural use.

Considering the seriousness of the matter, the provincial government has ordered the agricultural
department to conduct a “soil series survey.” Soil series refers to a group of soils with similar
profiles developed from similar parent materials under comparable climatic and vegetational
conditions.

Punjab was divided into 105 series in the survey conducted in 1972. Per a survey conducted in
2018, the number of soil series had reached 800. Owing to the growing deficiency of organic
compounds, it is expected that the number of series will exceed 1,000 under the current
conditions.

The Punjab agricultural department has built a website, to be launched within the next few days,
pertaining to the organic audit of the underground land in the province. Every agriculturist in the
province will have access to details related to the use of proposed fertilisers and crops and the
condition of organic underground matter.

During the zoning conducted in Punjab after 40 years, the agriculture ecological zones of the
province have increased from eight to 13. A strong recommendation has also been made to stop
sugarcane cultivation in the cotton area and to limit rice cultivation in the middle area between
Mandi Bahauddin and Nankana.

The Punjab agricultural department’s soil and water testing examined soils of lands owned by the
farmers as well as the government. In total, 2.8 million samples will be collected out of which
two million samples have already been obtained and sent to the lab for testing. Results showed
that organic matter in the lands of Punjab was 0.75 in 2000 which has now reached 0.60.
Phosphorus has reduced from 9.85 to 8.6 peat mineral soil mix (PMM), while the average
quantity of potassium has dropped from 236 PPM to 90 PPM.

Agriculture experts say that over the past century, farmers did not use fertilisers in adequate
quantities for the cultivation of crops because of which the natural organic matter in the land had
been used for increasing the productivity of crops and the reserves have been hit by mining.

All governments initiated projects for increasing agricultural production without looking for a
long-term solution. For instance, there have been talks about increasing the production of wheat
on average by 30 tons per acre. The latest scientific research, however, has proved that by using
two sacks of urea, a sack of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and a sack of potash on one-acre
land can yield up to 45 tons of wheat per acre. Since potash and DAP are costly fertilisers,
costing up to Rs 23,000 per sack, most farmers are unable to afford it.

CAUSES OF WATER LOGGING :

Seepage of water from canal system: The main cause of waterlogging in pakistan is seepage of
water from network of canal system.40-50% water is lost from main canals ,seeps through soil and
rised the ground water.  In some cases the water table has risen upto root zones or even surface of
soil

Poor surface runoff and slow drainage: The soil surface of pakistan is flat so surface runoff is
poor and hence slow drainage, result in accumulation of water on soil surface and move to the water
table under the influence of gravity. The water table has risen causes water logging

Interruption of surface runoff: Construction of irrigation networks and housing colonies in the path
of natural drains interrupted surface runoff ,resulting in accumulation of water in rainy season
contributes to waterlogging through seepage.

 Rainfall: After heavy rainfall rain water percolates down the pores between soil particles under the
action of gravity. 5. Floods.  Flood water spreads on the surface of soil in plains. Due to
inappropriate drainage system, this water percolates in soil and raise water table cause
waterlogging.

Poor water management: Sometimes farmers use their land unscientifically. Following activities
are major causes of waterlogging;  Excessive irrigation Lack of inadequate drainage system.

By breaking hardpan at a canal bed: During cleaning season ,the digging of canals breaks the
hardpan of the soil at canal bed. It enhances the seepage of water. 8. Railway lines /Roads.  The
construction of railway lines and roads in food plains interrupted the passage of runoff water ,water
collected in rainy season in the form of ponds ,percolates to soil, Result in waterlogging.

EFFECTS OF WATERLOGGING ON PLANT GROWTH: Some important effects of waterlogging on

plant growth are given below; i. The air in the soil pore is replaced by water ,leading to oxygen
deficiency and hence reduce the plant growth ii. In waterlogged soil transport of gases is reduced
disturbing normal growth. iii. Limited exchange of gases increase amount of co2 which affect
transpiration and water absorption. iv. In absence of oxygen, microbes produce toxis substances
such as methane and effects growth of plants

In waterlogged soil major form of nitrogen is ammonia which is toxic to crops vi. Under waterlogged
condition the concentration of phosphorus, iron, manganese, silicon increases and that of zn
decreases. The increase in ferrous ion concentration is toxic to many crops.

How erosion reduces yields

For the farmer, and for the consumer as well, the worst thing about soil erosion is that
it reduces crop yields and increases the costs of growing food and fibre.
Firstly, erosion reduces the capacity of the soil to hold water and make that water
available to plants. This subjects crops to more frequent and severe water stress.

Secondly, erosion contributes to losses of plant nutrients, which wash away with the
soil particles. Because subsoils generally contain fewer nutrients than topsoils, more
fertilizer is needed to maintain crop yields. This, in turn, increases production costs.
Moreover, the addition of fertilizer alone cannot compensate for all the nutrients lost
when topsoil erodes.

Thirdly, erosion reduces yields by degrading soil structure, increasing soil erodibility,
surface sealing and crusting. Water infiltration is reduced, and seedlings have a harder
time breaking through the soil crust.

Fourthly, erosion reduces productivity because it does not remove topsoil uniformly
over the surface of a field. Typically, parts of an eroded field still have several inches
of topsoil left; other parts may be eroded down to the subsoil. This makes it
practically impossible for a farmer to manage the field properly, to apply fertilizers
and chemicals uniformly and obtain uniform results. He is also unable to time his
planting, since an eroded part of the field may be too wet when the rest of the field is
dry and ready.

SOLUTIONS TO TACKLE SALINITY PROBLEM :

1. A salinity survey conducted in 2001-03 by the Soil and Reclamation Directorate of

the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) showed that 27% of the area
was salt affected.

2. The government of Sindh has recently banned rice cultivation in command areas of the
canals on the left bank of the Indus to control waterlogging and salinity. A grower who
violates the ban would be fined Rs.25,000 rupees ($246) per acre or with three years’
imprisonment. But a majority of farmers complain that the government ensures that the
ban is imposed only on small growers.

3. Pakistan’s agriculture sector contributes a fifth of the country’s GDP and employs almost
half of the labour force, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2013-14.
 4. The issue of waterlogging is turning around 100,000 acres of land barren per annum
while sea intrusion across the coastal belt of the country has been exacerbating the
salinity problem each passing day,
5. Pakistan lacks a proper law to regulate use of water in the agriculture sector. Farmers
grow crops like rice and sugarcane in running water. “The government should promote
salt-tolerant crops in the salinity-hit areas instead of investing on curbing the problem,
6. The government should installs vertical tubewells and improve drainage system to
address the waterlogging problem. He also suggests they develop specific seed varieties
for the area.

The tubewells run eight hours daily and pump out around 7,588 cusecs of water. “Around 2,400
tubewells are operational now while the remaining have developed some faults,” he told
thethirdpole.net. The provincial government pays the bills for electricity and repair of all the
tubewells.

WATERLOGGING AND SALINITY:

Water Logging and Salinity in Pakistan • Water logging represents the situation whereby the
underground water comes on the surface of the land and in certain cases it gathers on the ground
level of the lands and it may assume the shape of streams.

Water Logging and Salinity in Pakistan :As a result, the lands become uncultivable. In some
cases, the underground water does not reach the upper level of lands but remains slightly lower
and the land salts gather near the roots of the plants such situation is called Salinity. In this case,
the sufficient amount of water is not available for irrigation, hence the salts are not absorbed in
the land after having mixed.

These salts gather in the form of a layer in the upper level of land. Thus due to water logging and
salinity the water retains itself on the surface of land and salts gather themselves in the zones of
roots of plants. This leads to decrease the efficiency and productivity of lands and finally lands
become uncultivable.

EFFECTED AREAS :The experts accord water logging and salinity as a major problem of agri.
sector of Pakistan. According to an estimate the 50% of irrigated lands have been affected by
water logging and salinity, while 30 lac acres of lands have become uncultivable. gain, one lac
acre of land is being affected by water logging and salinity each year. In case of Punjab, every
year 70,000 acres of lands are being affected by water logging and salinity.

All those areas of lands which occur in Indus Basin system like Gujranwala, Shekupura,
Faisalabad, Shapur, Jhang, Multan, Muzafar Garh and Khairpur have wrostly been affected by
water logging and salinity.
 Effect: Effect on farmer Because of water logging and salinity the agri. crops are being affected.
As a result, the uncultivable area is increasing along with fall in incomes of farmers. They are
becoming poor. According to a view that the water logging and salinity are becoming
responsible for increasing rural inequalities.

I. Effect on Farmer: As the farmers whose land are being affected by water logging and
salinity’ they are selling their lands to big farmers at the reduced prices. These big farmers,
on the basis of their financial, political and social position, improve these affected lands.
Consequently, they are becoming rich.

II. Effect on plants: crops need air (specifically, oxygen) to a greater or lesser depth in the soil.
Water logging of the soil stops air getting in. How near the water table must be to the surface
for the ground to be classed as waterlogged, varies with the purpose in view. A crop's
demand for freedom from water logging may vary between seasons of the year, as with the
growing of rice.

III. Effect on food: The water logging and salinity will result in food shortages due to fall in
agri. production. As a result, agri. goods will have to be imported having a negative effect on
our nation.
IV. Effect on water: These two menaces are also resulting in environmental degradation as
water logging and salinity are becoming responsible for water pollution.
V. Effect on road: The water logging and salinity are also affecting the means of transportation
as it becomes difficult to construct the roads in the affected areas along with deterioration of
existing roads etc.

SALINITY: Salinity is the concentration of dissolved salts found in water. It is measured as

the total amount of dissolved salts in parts per thousand (sometimes called PSU or Practical
Salinity Units by scientists). Ten parts per thousand is equal to one percent.

SALINITY CONTROL: Soil salinity control relates to controlling the problem of soil salinity
and reclaiming Stalinized agricultural land. The aim of soil salinity control is to prevent soil
degradation by salivation and reclaim already salty (saline) soils. Soil reclamation is also called
soil improvement, rehabilitation, remediation, recuperation, or amelioration. The primary man-
made cause of Stalinization is irrigation. River water or groundwater used in irrigation contains
salts, which remain behind in the soil after the water has evaporated.
the primary method of controlling soil salinity is to permit 10-20% of the irrigation water to
leach the soil, be drained and discharged through an appropriate drainage system. The salt
concentration of the drainage water is normally 5 to 10 times higher than that of the irrigation
water, thus salt export matches salt import and it will not accumulate.
WATER LOGGING: Water logging refers to the saturation of soil with water. Soil may be
regarded as waterlogged when the water table of the groundwater is too high to conveniently
permit an anticipated activity, like agriculture.
Control of water logging • Biological control A literature review was carried out on
investigations from around the world into the effectiveness of biological drainage. The review
covers the impact of different types of trees, bushes and crops on water table and the control of
water logging.

DRAINAGE: Drainage is usually the best way of reducing water logging. Other management
options to reduce the impact of water logging include: choice of crop, seeding, fertilizer and
weed control.

CHOICE OF CROP SPECIES: some species of grains crop are more tolerant than others. Grain
legumes and canola are generally more susceptible to water logging than cereals and fiber beans.

CHOICE OF CROP SPECIES: Crop damage is particularly severe if plants are waterlogged
between germination and emergence. Plant first those paddocks that are susceptible to water
logging. However, if water logging delays emergence and reduces cereal plant density to fewer
than 50 plants/m2, reshow the crop.

NITROGEN FERTILIZER : Crops tolerate waterlogging better with a good nitrogen status
before waterlogging occurs. Applying nitrogen at the end of a waterlogging period can be an
advantage if nitrogen was applied at or shortly after seeding because it avoids loss by leaching or
gentrification. However, nitrogen cannot usually be applied from vehicles when soils are wet, so
consider aerial applications
If water logging is moderate (7–30 days water logging to the soil surface), then nitrogen
application after water logging events when the crop is actively growing is recommended where
basal nitrogen applications were 0– 50kg N/ha. However, if water logging is severe (greater than
30 days to the soil surface), then the benefits of nitrogen application after water logging are
questionable.
But this recommendation requires verification in the field at a range of basal nitrogen
applications using a selection of varieties.

Soil types and their properties

i. Saline Soils are those soils that contain a high amount of dissolved salts (e.g. NaCl, NaSO4,
CaCl2, CaSO4 etc.) in the soil solution. Its Electric conductivity
is (EC) > 4 dS/m (saturated paste), Ph < 8.5, Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) < 15 and
Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) < 13.2.
ii. Sodic soils contain an excess amount of exchangeable Sodium (Sodium carbonate and
bicarbonate). Its EC is < 4 dS/m (saturated paste), Ph > 8.5, ESP > 15
and SAR < 13.2. Dispersive effect of exchangeable sodium disturbs soil physical properties and
results in plant growth retardation
iii. Saline-Sodic soil contains soluble salts as well as exchangeable sodium. Its EC > 4 dS/m
(saturated paste), Ph > 8.5, ESP > 15 and SAR < 13.2.
At present, the total salt affected soil on the surface of the earth is about 954 million hectares.
Such types of salt affected soils are distributed throughout the world.
More than 80 million hectares of such soils are in Africa, nearly 147 million hectares in
Central, North and South America, 357 million hectares in Australia as
well as 50 million hectares in Europe. Similarly, a large bulk of about 320 million hectares land
in South and Southeast Asia is under the grip of salinity (Dr. Alam
S. M. et al., 2000). Out of 79.7 million hectares (7, 96096 Km2), 22 million hectares area is
under agriculture. It is estimated that out of this 22 million hectares,
6.28 million hectares (28.54 %) area is salt affected (total 7.88 %). About 1.89 million hectare
is saline, 0.28 million hectare is sodic and 3.05 million hectare is
saline-sodic
Soil types and their properties
i. Saline Soils are those soils that contain a high amount of dissolved salts (e.g. NaCl, NaSO4,
CaCl2, CaSO4 etc.) in the soil solution. Its Electric conductivity
is (EC) > 4 dS/m (saturated paste), Ph < 8.5, Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) < 15 and
Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) < 13.2.
ii. Sodic soils contain an excess amount of exchangeable Sodium (Sodium carbonate and
bicarbonate). Its EC is < 4 dS/m (saturated paste), Ph > 8.5, ESP > 15
and SAR < 13.2. Dispersive effect of exchangeable sodium disturbs soil physical properties and
results in plant growth retardation
iii. Saline-Sodic soil contains soluble salts as well as exchangeable sodium. Its EC > 4 dS/m
(saturated paste), Ph > 8.5, ESP > 15 and SAR < 13.2.
At present, the total salt affected soil on the surface of the earth is about 954 million hectares.
Such types of salt affected soils are distributed throughout the world.
More than 80 million hectares of such soils are in Africa, nearly 147 million hectares in
Central, North and South America, 357 million hectares in Australia as
well as 50 million hectares in Europe. Similarly, a large bulk of about 320 million hectares land
in South and Southeast Asia is under the grip of salinity (Dr. Alam
S. M. et al., 2000). Out of 79.7 million hectares (7, 96096 Km2), 22 million hectares area is
under agriculture. It is estimated that out of this 22 million hectares,
6.28 million hectares (28.54 %) area is salt affected (total 7.88 %). About 1.89 million hectare
is saline, 0.28 million hectare is sodic and 3.05 million hectare is
saline-sodi