Research
Soil Management
Objectives
Strengthening Soil Health is an important part of increased productivity and quality. According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Strategic Plan (2013-2020), soil health is a priority area that will be implemented mainly by NAREI, GUYSUCO, and GRDB. NAREI will be the Focal Point for this priority area.
Through an awareness and education campaign inform farmers about the importance of soil health and soil testing;
Develop on-farm fertilizer production system, e.g. vermicomposting as a model on-farm fertilizer system;
Ensure field/extension personnel are equipped with basic soil testing tools;
Encourage the use of inoculant, green manure, and mycorrhizae in farms;
Develop liming requirements for agriculture soils;
Conduct studies to determine the nutrient status of soils to promote Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) for soils;
Investigate the impact of micro-nutrients on crop production;
Establish weed control measures for field crops such as corn, soya, and beans;
Training and technical awareness programs developed on ISM and IPNM;
And, develop program for GIS mapping of agriculture soil and match soil profile with crop profile.
On Going Projects
The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute’s Soils Department is engaged in several projects. Below is a list of those projects:
Crop development
Fertilizer studies
Soil Health
The Use of Mycorrhiza in Substrate Preparation for Crop Production
The use of Grass Mulch to develop a plough layer on clay raised beds
Evaluation of Rhizobia Strains
The effect of rice husk biochar as an amendment on a marginal soil in Guyana
Mechanization: Operationalization of farming equipment
All year-round production of cabbage under shaded conditions
Year-round production of hot pepper under shaded conditions
The use of the steamer for soil sterilization
