Characteristics and fertility constraints of degraded soils in Leyte, Philippines (original) (raw)
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Characteristics and Nutrient Status of Two Degraded Upland Soils in Samar, Philippines
Annals of Tropical Research
The study evaluated the morpho-physical, chemical, and biological characteristics as well as the nutrient status of two degraded upland soils located in Sta. Rita, Western Samar and in Salcedo, Eastern Samar. Soil profiles were examined and soil erosion was determined. Composite soil and plant tissue samples were collected from different vegetation cover or crops planted by the farmers. All laboratory analyses were done following standard procedures. Results indicate that: 1) the Sta. Rita soil which is relatively younger than the Salcedo soil shows less severe degree of degradation than the Salcedo soil; 2) the nutrient status of the degraded upland soils in Sta. Rita and Salcedo are low; 3) the low nutrient status is more severe in the Salcedo than in the Sta. Rita ;4) both sites have strongly acidic soils which are low in OM, total N, and available P contents; 5) considerable variations in the soil nutrient status were observed under different vegetation covers or crops; 6) soil ...
International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR), 2022
The most important practice that contributes to rice production is nutrient management. However, if the nutrient plant required is insufficient, low production is unavoidable. Thus, this study was carried out to determine the soil fertility status of lowland areas in the municipality of Diplahan. Soil samples from each sampling site were collected in rice farms using a composite random soil sampling moving in a zigzag pattern. A depth of 0-15 cm soil samples were collected from 15-30 different places in 1-5 hectares. An air-drying procedure was done before it was carried to the laboratory for final testing. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, organic carbon, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium following the BSWM (Bureau of Soils and Water Management) procedures. Furthermore, a soil fertility map was outlined through ArcGIS software by plotting local coordinates in Google Map. Results showed that the areas in 10 selected barangays in the municipality have moderate soil acidity, with a pH level that falls below the desirable range of 5.5 - 7.0 but no lower than 4.5. According to the results of the soil organic carbon analysis, all barangays have insufficient SOC. Only four barangays have the optimal soil organic matter content for lowland rice production. The study also revealed that only two (2) barangays receive an adequate amount of nitrogen, while the rest are considered deficient. Phosphorous-rich soils were found in two (2) barangays; the five (5) barangays have a medium content; and the remaining three (3) barangays have a low content. Lastly, no barangay in the municipality obtains an adequate amount of exchangeable potassium ranging from 82-246 ppm. Problem of insufficient nutrient requirements for rice crop production is widespread in the municipality.
Soil quality indicators (SQIs)are used to evaluate how well soil functions since soil function often cannot be directly measured.There are two categories of SQIs which were evaluated in this research: chemical and physical. In connection to this, the study targeted the evaluation of organic and conventional farming systems inMunoz, Nueva Ecija. Two kinds of soil samples were taken from various soil depths in the two study sites. The disturbed soil samples were taken to the Department of Agriculture, Regional 1,for soil analysis. The undisturbed soil samples were taken to the Sericulture Research and Development Institute inDMMMSU Bacnotan La Union for bulk density analysis. The results of the physical and chemical soil analysis were used as SQI of the two farming practices. Heavy-textured soils were found in the organic farm attributed by higher amount of clay and organic matter. Soils in the organic farm have higher amount of nutrients available as shown by having higher electrical conductivity which diminishes as soil depth increases. Higher content of important macronutrients such as phosphorous and potassium which can be readily assimilated by plants were also found in soils under organic farm. The results of the study were used as strong empirical information as far as the ‘better’ farming practice is concerned. HOW TO CITE: Aban, J. L. (2014). Comparison of the physico-chemical properties as soil quality indicators (SQI) influenced by organic and conventional farming systems in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. The Philippine BIOTA. 47: 1-14
Physical Properties of Soils in Selected Subdivisions in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte
International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2024
The study was conducted to analyzed and to determine the physical properties of soil such as texture, bulk density, water holding capacity, soil moisture content, pH, and organic matter content in selected subdivisions in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte. Analysis of pH, texture, water holding capacity, and organic matter was at the Soil Research Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (SRTPAL) Department of Agronomy and Soil Science (DASS) VSU Baybay, Leyte. While the bulk density, soil moisture content was computed using the standard formula. To analyzed the result Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using the SPSS Program to determine whether soils from subdivisions categorized as waterlogged and mountainous, developed and developing subdivisions derived from their filling and parent materials were significant different. The results showed that soils from various categories from subdivisions had no significant effect on bulk density, water holding capacity, & soil moisture content. However, some properties such as soil pH were significant in the waterlogged and mountainous area. It is recommended that a further study be conducted to include all appropriate soil parameters and procedures such as liming for acid soils, cause of erosion, flooding, water drainage capacity, depth to water table and other significant soil quality parameters. Also recommend for in-depth study by the developers and engineers to ensure that the soil quality be suitable for housing and for the safety of the homeowners. Keywords:- Bulk Density, Water Holding Capacity, Soil PH, Organic Matter, Waterlogged, Mountainous.
Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 2008
Over the past several decades, the conversion of native forest to agricultural land use has accelerated and featured in the development of Philippine landscapes. This study evaluated the effect of land-use change on soil carbon, nitrogen, neutral sugar composition and other related soil chemical properties in a degraded soil (Typic Hapludult) in Leyte, Philippines. Using a space-for-time substitution (paired-area) approach, soil samples were collected and examined from secondary forest (SF), mahogany plantation (MP), rainforestation farming (RF), coffee plantation (CP) and grassland (GR) of comparable geology, parent material, soil type and climate. Soil pH, exchangeable Ca and Mg, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) tended to be higher after the conversion of deforested cultivated land into MP and RF land-use types. In contrast, land conversion decreased the soil carbon, nitrogen and carbohydrate-C in the order of SF, MP, CP, RF and GR, and the decrease was more marked in RF and GR sites that had been under intensive cultivation for a long period of time. Arabinose and xylose (mainly of plant origin) constituted the major non-cellulosic neutral sugar and represented 31–54% of the total soil carbohydrate-C. Soil carbohydrate-C content contributed 2–8% of the total soil organic carbon because of rapid decomposition of sugars. This suggests an adverse effect of land-use change leading to degradation of soil quality. The results of this study suggest that under the humid tropical climate of the Philippines, high temperature and favorable moisture enhanced the carbohydrate decomposition and, thus, affected the content and composition of neutral sugar in the soil.