Effect of Cropping Intensity on Soil Physical Properties: A Study on Bulk Density, Particle Density and Porosity at Kalaroa Upazila in Satkhira District

Intensive land use and frequent tillage practices are common in high cropping intensity regions like Bangladesh. Although the role of fertilizers on yield has been widely studied, effect of tillage intensity on physical health of soil remains under explored, particularly in multiple cropping areas. Our investigation is to explore the effect of cropping intensities on key physical properties of soil: bulk density, particle density, and porosity, in Kalaroa Upazila, Satkhira district. Soil samples from four distinct cropping intensities (200%, 250%, 300%, and 350%) were collected during the Rabi season from surface layers (0– 15 cm) of “Ishurdi” soil series. Standard laboratory analyses including the core method for bulk density, pycnometer method for particle density and porosity estimation from density values were conducted. Tillage frequency ranged from 9 to 14 operations per year across the plots. Results indicated that increasing intensity generally led to reduced bulk density and porosity, while particle density exhibited minor variations. The lowest bulk density (1.247 g/cm³) and porosity (41.12%) were recorded in the most intensively cultivated plot (350% intensity, 14 tillages/year), suggesting potential degradation of soil structure due to overcultivation. In contrast, moderate tillage (250% intensity) maintained the highest porosity (51.46%), indicating better soil aeration and structure. This study underscores that excessive intensity can adversely affect soil physical properties, diminish its capacity to support sustaiSnable crop production.