EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION WATER AND SOIL ADDED ARSENIC ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CROPS IN RICE-RICE CROPPING PATTERN

Abstract

A field Experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University Farm during January 2004 to December 2005 in order to examine the adverse effect of As in rice. Boro-T, Aman-Boro-T. Aman rice crops were grown in sequence. There were five treatments consisting of 0, I, 2 ppm As added with irrigation water, 10 and 20 ppm As added to soil. Arsenic treatments were applied in Boro crops. The As contamination of soil either through irrigation water or directly to soil significantly affected the yield and yield components of Boro and T. Aman rice. Application of As added to the Boro rice had significant residual effects on the T. Aman rice. The irrigation water and soil added As depressed the plant height, number of tillers, filled grains panicle", 1000-grain weight, straw and grain yields of Boro and T. Aman rice. The grain yield reduction over the cropping seasons and treatments varied from 8.2 to 80% as compared to control treatment.