Properties and Nutrient Status of Degraded Soils in Luzon, Philippines
Michelle Ann M. Calubaquib1, Ian A. Navarrete2*, and Pearl B. Sanchez1
1Soils and Agroecosystems Division, Agricultural Systems Cluster, College of
Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
2Department of Environmental Science, School of Science and Engineering,
Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, 1108, Philippines
*Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
A prerequisite to soil management, particularly in degraded soils, is a good knowledge of the characteristics and fertility status of degraded soil, which is fundamental to planning suitable soil management strategies for crop production purposes. The aim of this study was to determine the physico-chemical and mineralogical properties and fertility constraints of degraded soils in Luzon, Philippines. Ten surface soil samples were collected from 10 degraded soils representing the dominant soil series in Luzon Island. These soils were analyzed for physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. Results revealed that all soils have high clay content (except Bantay soil), which impedes cultivation. All soils were acidic, have a very low organic matter (OM), total N, available P, and low to moderately low exchangeable cations. X-ray diffraction reveals the dominance of halloysite/kaolinite, quartz and hematite in all soils. Results further revealed that all soils have fertility constraints, particularly acidic soils, low OM, low total N, and low available P. All soils contain sufficient exchangeable Ca, but low to high exchangeable K, particularly in soils of Annam, Bolinao, Bantay and Cervantes. Together, these results suggest that all soils possess physical and chemical constraints to crop production and the occurrence of constraints varies with soil type, location in the landscape, slope and parent material. The recognition of these fertility constraints is essential for the long-term planning of soil management strategies essential to sustainable utilization of these degraded soils.
INTRODUCTION
Drastic use and poor management of soil resources for agriculture can lead to soil degradation, a process that lowers the capacity of soils to produce goods or services (Blum 1998). The soil deterioration process has tremendous consequences considering the important functions of soils for plant production, buffering, transformation, filtering, geogenic, cultural heritage and infrastructure (Blum 1998). While soil degradation studies have been widely conducted in other tropical areas (Scherr & Yadav 1996; Obalum et al. 2012; Pimentel & Burgess 2013; Constantini & Lorenzetti 2013; Liang et al. 2013), a generalized understanding and knowledge of degraded soil, including its assessment and management are limited in the Philippines (Asio et al. 2009; Navarrete et al. 2013). The Philippines National Action Plan (NAP 2004) for 2004 to 2010 considered soil degradation as a severe environmental problem in the country. . . . . read more
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