Characteristics of sisal growing soils of Odisha and suggestive measures to enhance fibre productivity

Abstract

Sisal is one of the important fibre crops in the marginal soils of Odisha. The Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts are known for sisal cultivation. The information on sisal soils of Odisha and of the two districts (Sambalpur and Jharsuguda) were not available. In this study, we have characterized the sisal growing soils for their physico-chemical, chemical and biological properties. The sisal growing soils are acidic in nature, with low organic carbon and available nitrogen content and available P & K status was medium. The micronutrients in sisal growing areas were sufficient. The biological properties indicated that the microbial activity is very low because of very low organic carbon status. Use of organic manure like FYM, sisal compost, green manure and use of lime can improve the soil condition and improve the fertility status of the sisal growing soils of Odisha. Further, addition of P either as SSP or rock phosphate (RP) or in a combination of SSP + RP (1:1) will increase the available P status in acid soils of Odisha. In addition to this, growing pulse crop in between the sisal rows during kharif season may improve the organic matter, available N status of soil and will also help to earn additional income from sisal + pulse intercropping.