Soil tests reveal aluminium contamination far exceeding safe limits in Kerala's Kuttanad paddy fields

The Hindu
The Hindu
2h ago
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Kuttanad paddy fields have aluminium levels 39–165 times over safe thresholds due to rising soil acidity, endangering crops and farmers' livelihoods.
Soil tests reveal aluminium contamination far exceeding safe limits in Kerala's Kuttanad paddy fields
A What happened
Soil analyses conducted by Kerala Centre for Pest Management and the Rice Research Station found aluminium concentrations in Kuttanad paddy fields ranging from 77.51 to 334.10 ppm, exceeding the permissible 2 ppm level by 39 to 165 times. Aluminium toxicity is exacerbated by acidic soils with pH below 5, which increases aluminium solubility and hampers nutrient absorption critical to rice growth. These toxic conditions threaten soil productivity and paddy yields, risking the livelihoods of thousands of small farmers. Experts recommend applying liming agents like dolomite and calcium silicate to raise soil pH above 5.5 and reduce aluminium and iron toxicity. Lawmakers call for urgent scientific assessment and remediation measures to address this environmental imbalance and protect agriculture in the region.

Key insights

  • 1

    Soil acidity-driven aluminium toxic buildup: The increasing soil acidity in Kuttanad enhances aluminium solubility, turning otherwise non-toxic aluminium into harmful soluble forms that damage plant roots and inhibit nutrient uptake.

  • 2

    Crop health directly linked to environmental soil chemistry: Excess aluminium disrupts absorption of critical nutrients, reducing paddy yield and threatening the primary food and income source for local farmers.

  • 3

    Remediation depends on targeted chemical intervention: Effective mitigation requires liming materials like dolomite to raise soil pH, decreasing aluminium solubility and toxicity, rather than solely traditional farming methods.

Takeaways

Without prompt government-led soil remediation focusing on acidity control, aluminium toxicity will continue undermining crop productivity and farmer welfare in Kuttanad.

Topics

Climate & Environment Agriculture Health & Medicine Public Health World & Politics Policy & Regulation