Affiliations: Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University,
Khulna - 9208, Bangladesh | Institute of Water and Flood Management, Bangladesh
University of Engineering and Technology Dhaka - 1000, Bangladesh
Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the impact of water quality
of the Bangshi River, a part of the Bangshi-Turag system in the north-central
(NC) region of Bangladesh, on irrigated soil, and growth and yield performances
of rice (BRRIdhan-29) by selecting a polluted site (PS) and a pollution free
control site (CS) along the river. Water and soil samples from both sites were
collected on different growing stages of rice and analyzed on spots and in
laboratories following standard methods and instruments. Growth and yield
parameters of rice from both sites were collected through measurements and
surveys in the rice fields and farmers' households. The results of the study
revealed that the values of pH, EC, DO, Cl, NH_4-N, SAR, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, Ni
and Cr in river water exceeded the safe limits for irrigation at the PS,
whereas these parameters were within the safe limits at the CS. The contents of
most nutrients (except B) as well as metals in soil were found to be higher at
the PS than those of the CS. However, the most growth and yield parameters of
rice (except the weights of unfilled/damaged grains and rice husks) were
significantly lower at the PS than those of the CS, which might be due to the
irrigation with water polluted mostly by untreated industrial effluents.
Keywords: Bangshi River, water quality, irrigated soil, growth and yield performances of rice, polluted and control sites, untreated industrial effluents,
