Organic Fertilizers and Their Effects on Soil Biochemistry and Crop Yield in Bangladesh
Students & Supervisors
Student Authors
Supervisors
Abstract
Bangladesh being an agricultural country depends on soil fertility management for increasing agricultural production and food security. Overuse of chemical fertilizers damaged soil quality, increased impurities and lowered crop yields. Organically prepared fertilizers are being advocated as an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative. The addition of organic amendments in soil improves soil biochemistry and affects antioxidant capacity, nutritional quality and safety of crops. Nevertheless, long-term effect of organic fertilizers on crop yield and soil health is poorly understood in Bangladesh. The effects of organic fertilation through agricultural practices on soil biochemical parameters, nutritional indices and crop yield patterns for a period approaching three decades (1994–2023) were examined in the present study. The 30-year dataset (1994–2023) consisted of annual values of biochemical and agronomic variables (total concentration of secondary metabolites (mg/g), antioxidant activity (%), contaminant levels (ppm), nutritional value index and safety index). Trend analysis dealt with temporal changes and comparisons were made related to the responses of soil and crops to fertilizer application. We studied the years with highest variations on concentration of compounds, bioactive levels and safety indexes to understand changes. The study concentrated on periods where the nutritional value was high and the contamination relatively low and showed that organic fertilizing practices were effective. The results revealed that soil and crop parameter varies with time frame of the study. Compound concentration fluctuated. However, it was highest in 1995 (93.47 mg/g), 2007 (90.22 mg/g) and 2016 (79.58 mg/g), which would suggest a better availability of nutrients in those years under organic management. Antioxidant activity increased in 1995 (92.84%), 2012 (97.86%) and again in 2023 (92.38%), indicating enhancement of plant defense and possible health effects. The contents of contaminants ranged from low (10.96 ppm in 2002) to high (94.08 ppm in 2003), indicative of poor fertilizer quality or external contamination. Nutritional value index reached maximum value in 2016 (95.35) and 2001 (90.94), indicating an influence of organic amendments towards improving quality of crops. The safety index ranged from a high of 97.99 in 2010 and 92.09 in 2001 and implied the great safety of food production in these years, respectively. Organic fertilizers are found to enhance soil and crop health, although their efficacy is found to be inconsistent given different practices and environmental factors. Overall, there are long-terms gains in both nutrition and safety and the use of organic fertilizers may be promoted in agricultural policymaking in Bangladesh.
Keywords
Publication Details
- Type of Publication:
- Conference Name: 1st International Conference on Science and Humanities for Sustainable Development – ICSHSD
- Date of Conference: 23/10/2025 - 23/10/2025
- Venue: Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (DUET)
- Organizer: Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology (DUET)