| Introduction
Systematic study of soil in Nepal was started from
1957 (2014 BS) with the establishment of Soil Science
Section. Soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil survey
and soil physics were the main unit during that time.
Later soil microbiology unit was added. With the expansion
of different types of activities clay mineralogy, and
soil micronutrients units were also added but did not
continue their activities. Clay mineralogy was discontinued
after some time and soil micronutrients were taken care
by soil fertility. This division tackled problems related
to soil. This division was even involved in formulation
of policies and development activities of the Government.
After the formation of Nepal Agricultural Research Council
(NARC) in 1992 as an autonomous body, research activities
remained with NARC and development and policy matters
were handled by DOA.
During this long period soil science has produced soil
survey and resources inventory of 54 agricultural potential
districts of Nepal. It has also recommended doses of
fertilizers to major crops in different agro-ecological
regions of Nepal. As an integral part soil science has
provided services to different clients by analyzing
soil, plant, water and fertilizers for several years.
Increasing soil humus by promoting organic manure as
substitute of expensive mineral fertilizers, isolating
local and imported strain of Rhyzobium and azotobacter
cultures for nitrogen fixation in legume and cereal
were also activities of soil science. Soil science has
added a component to map different agricultural activities
using GIS tools. Recently, greenhouse gas emissions
have become an important parameter to be looked by the
soil scientist. Soil Science Division at Khumaltar has
recently added a component of soil environment which
looks into the global warming potential, pollution ground
and surface water pollution through fertilizers and
including plant protection chemicals. Collaborating
with different international organizations and universities
soil science has made an attempt to assess the soil
and nutrients losses from slopping agricultural land
rehabilitation of some degraded lands.
Objective
The main objective of this division is to make an inventory
of soil resources of the country and develop soil management
technologies for sustainable agriculture production
through judicious use of organic, inorganic and biological
sources of plant nutrients through diagnostic analysis
of soil, plants and water including dissemination of
approved technology.
Researchers
- Dr.Yagya Gajadhar Khadka, Senior Scientist
(Chief)
- Mr.Kamal Sah, Senior Scientist (Soil Science)
- Mr.Suresh Rai, Senior Scientist (Soil Science)
- Mr. Pramod Sharma (Soil
Science)
- Ms Sanu Keshari Bajracharya Senior Technical Officer
(Soil Chemistry)
Contact Address
Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)
Soil Science Division (SSD)
Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal
PO Box 5459, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-5521149 Fax:
+977-1-5521197
Email: ssd@narc.gov.np
Website: www.narc.org.np
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