A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POTENTIAL OF CHARCOAL, CRUSHED PAPER AND WOOD PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Abstract

Agriculture is the backbone of our country. In recent year due to enormous rise in population of our country an increase agricultural activity is reported which has increased the demand of fresh water. It is found that the farmer basically rely on rainwater in the hilly terrain of Arunachal Pradesh as there is no other source for irrigation. Hence, there arises the need to better manage fresh water use, particularly agricultural usage, is paramount. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effect of charcoal, crushed paper and wood pulp amendment on the water holding capacity of loamy sand soil with different mixture rates. For this an experiment (gravimetric method) is carried out to check the water retention capacity of soil mixture with charcoal, wood pulp and crush paper in different proportion. Results show a doubling in water holding capacity by mass using a 20% mixture of charcoal, wood pulp or crushed paper with soil. High percentage mixtures of charcoal, wood pulp or crushed paper increases water holding capacity (WHC) dramatically. These results suggest the use of charcoal powder, wood pulp or crush paper has potential to increase the water retention capacity. Mixing of charcoal, crushed paper and wood pulp also acts as soil conditioner which increase the soil fertility and friendly microorganisms in soil showing a drastic change in growth pattern of plant.