BANGLADESH RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS JOURNAL

ISSN: 1998-2003, Volume: 11, Issue: 1, Page: 28-33, March - April, 2015
Review Paper

SOIL EROSION MANAGEMENT ON YIELD PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED

HEDGE SPECIES AT DIFFERENT HILL SLOPES IN CHITTAGONG HILL TRACT
Md. Razib Rahman* and Md. Babul Hossain1
Md. Razib Rahman and Md. Babul Hossain (2015). Soil Erosion Management on Yield Performance of selected Hedge Species at
Different Hill Slopes in Chittagong Hill Tract . Bangladesh Res. Pub. J. 11(1): 28-33. Retrieve from
http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/admin/journal/upload/1410057/1410057.pdf

Abstract
The study was concluded at Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh to identify
different hedge species and assess alley width in controlling soil erosion and the
effect of different hedge species and their alley. Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is the
largest hilly area located in the southeast of Bangladesh. Alley cropping or
hedgerow cultivation is v ery helpful in controlling soil erosion in the hilly area. In
order to perform cataloguing the hedges and their alley were use selected such as
indigofera, Bogamedula, Pineapple and Napier. Three different slopes are gentle
slope, moderate slope and steeps slope. Two different crops like yard long bean,
ladies finger were used as test crops. The different alley widths under each hedge
species was 5m, 4m and 3m. Each plots containing 3 lines of hedge. The
experiment lay out in split plot design with three replications. Soil erosion was
measured through spike lay out method. Fertilizers applied based on soil test value.
Collected data were statistically analyzed following MSTAT program. Difference of
total plants in each plots (controlled and managed by hedge) are directly
influenced by alley width. Wider alley width gives a better performance of yield.
Species of hedge plants hav e a great effect on plant growth and crop yield.
Hedge plant of low height (pineapple) provides a better performance than that of
higher height hedge plant because it provides intensiv e light and better root
binding. But higher height hedge plant prov ides more bio-mass than lower height
hedge plants. Grass species (Napier) responses better than tree/shrub species
(Bogamedula and Indegofera) on crops yield. Performance of pineapple among
all other hedge species on crop yield and soil loss minimizing capacity was
recorded the best on all slope gradients and alley width. Hedge always plays a v ital
role on plant growth, crops productiv ity, fruit length and weight as well as
minimizing of soil erosion. More yields were gained from the managed plots by
hedge, though the number of total plant was comparatively less in those plots than
the controlled one. Due to addition of bio-mass and comparativ ely less soil erosion
for hedge plants, nutrient status of soil is maintained for better productiv ity. Slope
Gradients have a most important role on crops yield and soil erosion factor. The
highest yields and the lowest soil loss were recorded in gentle slope than those of
moderate and steep slope respectively. Crops yield were significantly reduced with
the increase of slope gradients.

Key words: Soil Erosion, indigofera, Bogamedula, Pineapple and Napier.

Introduction
The conservation of soil and water is essential for sustainable production, environment
preservation and balanced ecosystem (Sarma et al. 2000). Loss of soil by water erosion on
slopping lands adversely affects the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils,
leading to low crop productiv ity (Larson et al.1985 and Sur et al.1994). Land use change
associates erosion is mostly responsible for land degradation and desertification in
different part of Asia and Africa, bringing about large reduction in vegetation growth,
siltation of water courses, filling of valleys and reservoirs and the formation of deltas along
the coastal areas. Erosion is accompanied by deposition of alluvial materials by flooding
and filling of valleys, waterways or extending coastal plains and deltas towards the sea.
Contour hedgerows are also effective in controlling run off and soil erosion and improve
*Corresponding Author Email: E-mail: rahman.razib_pt@yahoo.com
Soil Resource Development Institute, Farmgate, Dhaka, Bangladrsh

Soil Erosion Management on Yield Performance of selected Hedge Species

29

soil physical properties. Control plots have higher run off and soil loss than those plots with
hedgerow (Khisa et al. 1999). Uddin and Firoz (2001) recommended hedgerow for
cultivation on sloppy land. They described that hill slope may be divided into a series of
alley separated by hedgerow on contour lines, because hedgerow plants are effective in
controlling soil erosion and reducing run off.
Trees and shrubs have several functions to control erosion like (i) increase soil cover, by
liter and pruning (ii) provide partly permeable hedgerow barriers (iii) lead to the
progressive development of terraces, through soil accumulation upslope of hedgerows (iii)
increase soil resistance to erosion, by maintenance of organic matter (iv) stabilize earth
structures by root systems and (v) make productive use of the land occupied by the
conservation works (Young 1989 a). Alley cropping or hedgerow cultiv ation is very helpful
in controlling of soil erosion in the hilly area. This study was, therefore, designed to select
suitable hedge species and their alley width in respect to slope which will minimize soil loss
and increase crop yield.
Objectives:
I.To identify different hedge species and assess alley width in controlling soil erosion.
II.To estimate soil loss under different hedge species and alley width at different
slope.
III.To examine the effect of different hedge species and their alley width on crop
yield at different slopes.
Materials & Methods
The experiment was conducted at the Soil Conservation and Water Management Centre,
SRDI- under Bandar ban Hill District during 2013 to 2014. Four different hedge species were
arranged and three different alley widths under each hedge species distributed at
different slopes, respectively. 3 different slopes such as gentle slope (about 12% slope) (S1),
moderate slope (about 25% slope) (S2) and steep slope (about 35% slope) (S3) and 4
different Hedge species such as Ananas comosus (Pineapple=H1), Bogamedula spp
(Bogamedula=H2), Pennibetum Purpureum (Napier=H3),Indigofera sanatrana (Indigofera
=H4) and Control (H5). The different alley widths under each hedge species will be 3.0 m, 4
m and 5 m. Each plots containing 3 lines of hedge. The experiment lay out in Split Plot
design with 3 (three) replications. The treatments randomly allot in each block. The
dimensions of each plot of 5.0 m alley spacing are 11.0 m x 4.0 m (44.0 m2) and every plot
of 4.0 m alley spacing is (9.0 m x 4.0 m (36.0 m) for all slope gradients. On the other hand
the dimension of each plot of 3.0 m alley spacing is 4.0 m x 7.0 m (28.0 m) for all slope
classes. The upper & lower line of hedge is established at a distance of 0.50 m from upper
& lower plot boundary maintaining contour. Another line is situated at the middle of the
plot across the slope. 2 different crops like ladies finger, yard long bean were used as test
crops. The seeds of test crops were dibbled from a distance of 0.25 m from the upper &
lower plot boundary. Different row to row and plant to plant distances maintained in
respect of different crops. For Okra plant to plant distance is 0.50 m & row to row distance
is 0.75m. On the other hand plant to plant & row to row distance for yard long bean is 0.60
m and 1.0 m respectiv ely on all slope gradients. Hedge lines established maintaining in
contour lines. Different hedge species dibbled in different slope in late May July 2011.
Plots have been prepared manually. The seeds were dibbled in rows by dibbling method.
Fertilizers were applied based on soil test value. Other management practices and
different preventive measures have been taken as and when needed. Soil erosion was
measured through Spike layout method. In every plot, six spikes were inserted; three were
near upper side (top of the plot) and another three were near the lower end hedge line
of the plots. Ten plants were randomly selected from each plot for collecting data. Data
on different attributes of different crops like fruit/plant, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter
(cm), fruit weight (gm) and fresh yield for ladies finger, and plant height (cm), Pod/plant,
Pod length (cm), pod diameter (cm), seed/pod for Yard long bean were recorded timely
by following standard procedures. Meteorological informations was collected from
meteorological station in the research area. Biomass of different hedges was determined.
A simple economic analysis of each component analyzed. Collected data were
statistically analyzed following MSTAT program. Analysis of variance for crop characters
and soil loss were done following the F-test. Mean comparisons of the treatments were
done following Duncans Multiple Range Test (DMRT).
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Rahman and Hossain

30

Results & Discussion

Soil Loss under the cultivation of Okra
Soil loss of Okra at different alley width, hedge species & in aspect of different slope
gradient throughout the rainy season is presented in the Table 1. It was recorded that
highest soil loss was recorded in 5.0 m alley width 19.22 t/ha, 14.81 t/ha, & 12.71 t/ha in
steep slope, moderate and gentle plot respectively. Whereas the lowest soil loss was
recorded in hedge treatment of 3.0 m alley width 8.897 t/ha, 10.19t/ha, 11.42t/ha,
13.74t/ha and 28.33 t/ha in pineapple, Napier, Bogamedula, indigofera and Control plot
respectively (Table 2).
Considering all slope gradients & alley width, the lowest soil loss was recorded in
Pineapple hedge species used plot followed by Napier, Bogamedula & indigofera hedge
species used plot accordingly.
Table 1: Soil Loss under the Cultivation of Okra as influenced by different Slope in different
alley width
Slope

Average Soil loss (mm)

3 m alley 4 m alley 5 m alley
width
width
width

3 m alley
width

Soil Loss ( t/ha)

4 m alley
5 m alley
width
width

Gentle
0.9170 C
0.9482C 0.9778 C 11.92 C
12.33 C
12.71 C
slope(S1)
Moderate
1.061 B
1.101 B
1.139 B
13.79 B
14.31 B
14.81 B
slope(S2)
Steep
1.368 A
1.425 A
1.494 A
17.84 A
18.52 A
19.22 A
slope(S3)
CV
4.48%
3.57%
2.87%
2.54%
4.07%
0.59%
F Test
**
**
**
**
**
**
CV= Coefficient of variance, NS=Not Significant, ** = 1% level of significance, *=5% level of
significance
Figures in a column having common letters do not differ significantly whereas figures with
dissimilar letter differ significantly (as per DMRT).
Table 2: Soil Loss under the Cultivation of Okra as influenced by different Hedge species in
different alley width
Soil Loss ( t/ha)
3 m alley
4 m alley
5 m alley
width
width
width
Pineapple (H1)
8.897 E
9.227 E
9.697 E
Bogamedula(H2)
11.42 C
11.93 C
12.42 C
Napier(H3)
10.69
0.7840 D
0.8220D
1.494 A
10.19 D
11.17 D
D
Indigofera(H4 )
1.057 B
1.112 B
0.008934D
13.74 B
14.46 B
15.07 B
Control (H5)
2.179 A
2.227 A
0.9807 C
28.33 A
28.95 A
29.56 A
CV
4.48%
3.57%
2.87%
2.54%
4.07%
0.59%
F Test
**
**
**
**
**
**
CV= Coefficient of variance, NS=Not Significant, ** = 1% level of significance, *=5% level of
significance
Hedge

Average Soil loss (mm)

3 m alley 4 m alley 5 m alley
width
width
width
0.6773 E
0.7100E
0.9778 C
0.8783 C
0.9180C
1.139 B

Figures in a column having common letters do not differ significantly whereas figures with
dissimilar letter differ significantly (as per DMRT).

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Soil Erosion Management on Yield Performance of selected Hedge Species

31

Cultivation of Okra under 3.0 m alley width on different Slope and various hedge species
Table 5: Mean performance of slope on yield and yield component of Okra in 3 m allay

18.11 A

Fruit
Weight
(gm)
17.71 A

17.99 A

16.50 A

15.94 B

18.58 B

6.636 B

16.92 B
4.72%
**

16.69 A
3.39%
**

14.76 C
2.33%
**

17.39 C
2.84%
**

6.212 C
5.12%
**

Fruit Length
(cm)

Slop
Gentle slope(S1)
Moderate slope
(S2)
Steep slope(S3)
CV
F Test

Fruit /Plant

Plot
Yield(Kg)

Yield
(t/ha)

16.40 A

20.59 A

7.354 A

CV= Coefficient of variance, NS=Not Significant, ** = 1% level of significance, *=5% level of

significance
Figures in a column having common letters do not differ significantly whereas figures with
dissimilar letter differ significantly (as per DMRT).
Table 6: Mean performance of hedge on yield and yield component of Okra in 3 m allay
Hedge
Pineapple (H1)
Bogamedula(H2)
Napier (H3)
Indigofera (H4)
Control ( H5 )
CV
F Test

Fruit
Length
(cm)
18.67 A
18.40 A
18.57 A
18.27 A
14.46 B
4.72%
**

Fruit
Weight
(gm)
18.72 A
17.76 A
18.21 A
17.41 A
12.74 A
3.39%
**

Fruit /Plant

Plot Yield(Kg)

Yield
(t/ha)

16.70 A
16.13 BC
16.48 AB
15.89 C
13.30 D
2.33%
**

20.02 A
18.35 C
19.25 B
17.71 D
18.96 B
2.84%
**

7.150 A
6.553 BC
6.873 AB
6.323 C
6.770 B
5.12%
**

CV= Coefficient of variance, NS=Not Significant, ** = 1% level of significance, *=5% level of

significance
Figures in a column having common letters do not differ significantly whereas figures with
dissimilar letter differ significantly (as per DMRT).
Table 7: Mean performance of interaction of different slope with hedge on yield and yield
component of Okra in 3 m allay
Interaction
S1 x H1
S1 x H2
S1 x H3
S1 x H4
S1 x H5
S2 x H1
S2 x H2
S2 x H3
S2 x H4
S2 x H5
S3x H1
S3 x H2
S3 x H3
S3 x H4
S3 x H5
CV
F Test

Fruit Length (cm)

19.05 AB
19.12 A
18.50 ABCD
14.68
E
18.95 AB
18.85 ABC
18.90 ABC
18.75 ABC
14.50
E
17.85 ABCD
17.30 D
17.70 BCD
17.55 CD
14.20
E
0.4814 F
4.72%
NS

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CV= Coefficient of variance, NS=Not

Significant, ** = 1% level of significance, *= 5%
level of significance
Figures in a column having common letters do
not differ significantly whereas figures with
dissimilar letter differ significantly (as per DMRT).

Rahman and Hossain

32

Table 8: Mean performance of slope on yield and yield component of Okra in 4 m allay
Slop
Gentle
slope(S1)
Moderate
slope (S2)
Steep slope(S3)
CV
F Test

Fruit
Length
(cm)

Fruit
Weight
(gm)

Fruit /Plant

Plot
Yield(Kg)

Yield (t/ha)

18.24 A

18.02 A

16.33 A

30.30 A

8.416 A

18.03 A

16.98 B

15.96 A

27.83 B

7.732 B

16.96 B
6.46%
*

16.41 B
5.88%
**

14.06 B
5.93%
**

24.07 C
5.01%
**

6.684 C
7.82%
**

CV= Coefficient of variance, NS=Not Significant, ** = 1% level of significance, *=5% level of

significance
Figures in a column having common letters do not differ significantly whereas figures with
dissimilar letter differ significantly (as per DMRT).
Table 9: Mean performance of hedge on yield and yield component of Okra in 4 m allay
Hedge
Pineapple (H1)
Bogamedula(H2)
Napier(H3)
Indigofera(H4 )
Control (H5)
CV
F Test

Fruit
Length
(cm)
18.70 A
18.45 A
18.60 A
18.47 A
14.47 B
6.46%
**

Fruit Weight
(gm)

Fruit /Plant

Plot
Yield(Kg)

Yield (t/ha)

19.23 A
18.30 AB
18.24 B
17.46 B
12.46 C
5.88%
**

16.41 A
15.73 A
16.10 A
15.73 A
13.27 B
5.93%
**

30.37 A
27.66 BC
28.76 B
26.43 C
23.78 D
5.01%
**

8.437A
7.683C
7.987B
7.340C
6.607D
7.82%
**

CV= Coefficient of variance, NS=Not Significant, ** = 1% level of significance, *=5% level of

significance
Figures in a column having common letters do not differ significantly whereas figures with
dissimilar letter differ significantly (as per DMRT).
Conclusion and Recommendation
Practical working experience in field provides information that though the spacing of
plant to plant & row to row was same, the number of total plant was more in controlled
plot other than the managed plots by hedge. Because of hedge plantation, number of
total plants in each managed plot of same alley width and slope gradient is always less
than the controlled plot. On the other hand, difference of total plants in each plots
(controlled & managed by hedge) are directly influenced by alley width. Wider alley
width gives a better performance of yield. Species of hedge plants have a great effect
on plant growth and crops yield. Hedge plant of low height (pineapple) provides a better
performance than that of higher height hedge plant because it provides intensive light &
better root binding. But higher height hedge plant provides more bio-mass than lower
height hedge plants. Grass species (Napier) responses better than tree/shrub species
(Bogamedula & Indegofera) on crops yield. Performance of pineapple among all other
hedge species on crop yield and soil loss minimizing capacity was recorded the best on
all slope gradients & alley width.
Hedge always plays a vital role on plant growth, crops productivity, fruit length & weight
as well as minimizing of soil erosion. More yields were gained from the managed plots by
hedge, though the number of total plant was comparatively less in those plots than the
controlled one. Due to addition of bio-mass & comparatively less soil erosion for hedge
plants, nutrient status of soil is maintained for better productivity. Slope Gradients have a
most important role on crops yield and soil erosion factor. The highest yields and the
lowest soil loss were recorded in gentle slope than those of moderate & steep slope
respectively. Crops yield were significantly reduced with the increment of slope gradients.
http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/journal/

Soil Erosion Management on Yield Performance of selected Hedge Species

33

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Khisa SK. (1998) Khisa, S. K., Shoaib, J. U. M. and Khan, N. A. 2002. The experience of
promoting slope agricultural land technology for hillside farms in the Chittagong
Hill Tract. In Farming Practices and Sustainable Development in the Chittagong
Hill Tract (N. A. Khan et al ., Eds.), CHTDB and VFFP, Inter cooperation, pp. 114-115.
Larson et al.(1985 )and Sur et al. (1994). Effects of soil erosion on soil properties as related
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Erosion and Crop Productivity. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI, pp.
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Sarma (2000) sustaining Nepalese agriculture: The permaculture(sustainable agriculture)
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Young, A. (1989). Agroforestry for soil conservation.ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya. 276 p.

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