‘‘A Comprehensive Study of Soil Fertility and
Nutrient Status Trends of Agricultural Soils’’
Nusrat Jahan Shorna
21-05-5748
Internship Placement
Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI)
Krishi khamar sarak , Dhaka-1215
Faculty of Agricultiure
Gazipur Agricultural University
Gazipur 1706
External Supervisor Internal Supervisor
Md. Jainal Abedin Dr. Afsana Hossain
Director, Analytical Services Wing Associate Professor
Soil Resource Development Institute Department of Plant Pathology
Mitrika Bhaban, Dhaka-1215 Gazipur Agricultural University
Gazipur-1706
CONTENTS
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
SUMMARY
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
REFLECTION ON INTERNSHIP
CONCLUSION
ORGANIZATIONAL
OVERVIEW
Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) is the apex national
organization under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of
Bangladesh, responsible for soil survey, classification, land
evaluation, soil fertility assessment, and fertilizer recommendation.
Established: 1958 (as Soil Survey Project)
Current Status: National soil research and
service organization
Headquarter: Krishi khamar sarak , Dhaka-
1215
ORGANIZATIONAL
OVERVIEW
Major Functions:
Soil and land resource survey and mapping
Soil fertility assessment and fertilizer recommendation
Agro-Ecological Zone (AEZ) delineation
Soil and water testing services
Support to national agricultural planning and food security
Beneficiaries:
Farmers, researchers, extension workers, policymakers, and development
agencies.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
SCHEDULE
Duration: 10 weeks (16th November, 2025 to 21th January , 2026)
Working Hours: 2 to 3 hours per day (3 days in a week)
KEY ACTIVITIES
Laboratory analysis of provided soil samples
Determination of soil chemical nutrients and Heavy metals
Measurement of physical properties
Preparation of culture media and basic microbial culturing activities
Data recording, interpretation, and reporting of soil test results
INTRODUCTION
Academic internship at Soil Resource
Development Institute (SRDI) under the
Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh
Hands-on exposure to laboratory-based soil
analysis and testing techniques
Practical learning on soil chemical, physical,
and microbiological properties
Enhanced understanding of soil quality
assessment for sustainable agriculture
Objectives
To understand the organizational structure and
operational activities of SRDI in soil survey, testing, and
fertilizer recommendation
To gain practical experience in laboratory-based soil
nutrient analysis
To interpret soil test results for fertility assessment
and sustainable nutrient management
To evaluate key soil physical and chemical properties
related to soil health
Materials & Methods
Soil Chemical Analysis
Physical properties Analysis
Nutrients & organic Soil texture, bulk
carbon, heavy density, particle
metals analysis density,Porosity, soil
moisture
Soil microbiological analysis
Culture media preparation
Materials & Methods
Soil Chemical Parameters Analyzed
Organic Carbon Total Nitrogen
Soil pH.
(Walkley–Black). (Kjeldahl method).
Available Phosphorus Sulfur Exchangeable bases: Ca,
(Olsen & Bray–Kurtz). (Turbidimetric). Mg, K, Na.
Micronutrients: B, Zn, Cu, Heavy metals: Cd, Ni,
Fe, Mn. Pb, Cr.
Materials & Methods
Advanced Laboratory Instruments
Atomic Absorption
Flame Photometer. Spectrophotometer.
Spectrophotometer
(AAS).
pH Meter. Kjeldahl Digestion &
Distillation Units.
Materials & Methods
Soil pH Measurement (Metrohm 691 pH Meter)
Start → Calibration → Soil Preparation → Measurement → Data Recording → End
Organic Carbon (Walkley & Black Method)
Start → Sample Digestion → Titration → Calculation → Data Recording → End
Materials & Methods
Total Nitrogen (Kjeldahl Method)
Start → Digestion → Distillation → Titration → Calculation → Data Recording → End
(Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn)
Start → Extraction → Filtration → Measurement → Calculation → Data Recording → End
Available Sulfur (Turbidimetric Method)
Start → Extraction → Filtration → Turbidity Development → Measurement → Calculation → Data Recording → End
Materials & Methods
Available Phosphorus (Olsen & Bray & Kurtz Methods)
Start → Extraction → Filtration → Color Development → Measurement → Calculation → Data Recording → End
Exchangeable Cations (Ammonium Acetate Method)
Start → Extraction → Filtration → Measurement → Calculation → Data Recording → End
Materials & Methods
Boron (Azomethine-H Method)
Start → Extraction → Filtration → Color Development → Measurement → Calculation → Data Recording → End
Heavy Metals (Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr)
Start → Digestion → Filtration → Measurement → Calculation → Data Recording → End
Materials & Methods
Physical properties Analysis
Soil Texture: Hydrometer method (sand, silt, clay %)
Bulk Density: Core sampling method (mass/volume)
Particle Density: Pycnometer method
Porosity: Calculated from bulk & particle density
Moisture Content: Gravimetric method
Materials & Methods
Soil microbiological analysis
Preparation of Culture Media
Results and Discussion:
Variation of soil pH among sixteen soil samples.
Results and Discussion:
Variation of organic carbon among sixteen soil samples.
Results and Discussion:
Variation of total nitrogen among sixteen soil samples
Results and Discussion:
Variation of total nitrogen among sixteen soil samples
Results and Discussion:
Variation of available phosphorus among sixteen soil samples
Results and Discussion:
Variation of available sulfur among sixteen soil samples.
Results and Discussion:
Variation of boron among sixteen soil samples.
Results and Discussion:
Variation of zinc among sixteen soil samples
Results and Discussion:
Variation ofCu,Mn,Fe among sixteen soil samples.
Results and Discussion:
Heavy metal concentrations among sixteen soil samples
Results and Discussion:
Comparison among Bulk density, partical density and Porosity of sixteen soil samples
Results and Discussion:
Comparison among % Moisture Content of sixteen soil samples
Results and Discussion:
A heatmap of soil nutrient fertility across 16 samples
Conclusion
Bridged theoretical knowledge with
practical work
Gained experience with AAS, Flame
Photometer, Spectrophotometer, and wet
chemistry techniques
Identified soil acidity issues and nutrient
deficiencies (e.g., Phosphorus, Boron)
Observed general sufficiency of K, Ca,
Mg, Fe, Mn etc
Thank you