Effects of Protected Vegetable Crops Cultivation on Soil Nutrients Status in Tanahun District, Nepal

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess protected vegetable crop cultivation effects on soil nutrients status in Byas municipality of Tanahun, Nepal. For the study, polytunnel and playhouse were taken as treatments of protected vegetable crops cultivation, which was compared with open field cultivation, considered as control. Soil samples from each plot were sampled from 11 polytunnels, 11 polyhouses and 11 open fields consisting a total of 33 composite soil samples through stratified random sampling techniques from 20 cm soil depth in each plot. Analysis of soil samples was done in the laboratory for chemical properties. MS-Excel and R-Studio were used for data analysis. The results showed that soil nitrogen was 0.25% in the polytunnel, 0.18% in the polyhouse and 0.15% in the open field. Similarly, available potassium was 475.99 kg/ha in the polytunnel, 281.73kg/ha in the polyhouse and 143.13 kg/ha in the open field. Likewise, Available phosphorus was 266.8 kg/ha in the polytunnel, 239.84 kg/ha in the polyhouse and 140.06 kg/ha in the open field. Soil organic matter was found at 5.1% in the polytunnel, 3.6% in the polyhouse and 3.2% in the open field. Soil pH was found 6.9 in the polytunnel, 6.8 in polyhouse and 6.6 in the open field which showed slightly acidic or neutral soil pH. The research findings showed that soil nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium and soil organic matter were maximum in polytunnels followed by polyhouses whereas open fields had minimum soil nutrient contents. Hence, it was concluded that protected vegetable crop cultivation had direct effects on soil nutrient status. It showed a vital role in the prevention of soil nutrients loss and management of soil fertility status in vegetable crops cultivation areas in mid-hills.