Characteristics of Soils in the Marginal Uplands of Inopacan, Leyte

Victor  B. Asio,; Deejay  Maranguit,; Suzette  B. Lina,; Jessie  R. Sabijon,; Kier Lambert  B. Demain,; Ariel  B. Bolledo,; Cecille Marie  O. Quiñones,; Rizza Josefina  T. Doguiles,

Characteristics of Soils in the Marginal Uplands of Inopacan, Leyte

Abstract:

Improving the productivity of marginal lands greatly depends on good understanding of the characteristics of the soils. Published data on the nature and characteristics of soils in marginal uplands are still limited. This study was conducted to determine the morphological and physicochemical characteristics of soils in the marginal upland of Inopacan, Leyte. Five representative soil profiles located in different physiographic positions were examined and sampled. Results showed that the soils were derived from volcanic materials particularly andesite and basalt rocks. Well-developed soils were found on the summit position with the horizon sequence of Ap-Bt-BC while poorly developed soils occurred on the lower slope positions having Ap-AB-Bw-BC horizon sequence. Soils were found to be highly acidic with soil pH close to 5.0. Soil organic matter, total nitrogen and available P were low and decrease with soil depth. Exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K and Na) were high in most soil profiles. The results indicate that N and P fertilization as well as organic matter addition are crucial to increasing the productivity of the marginal upland soils. The marginal nature of the soils is the result of decades of unsustainable cultivation practices.

References:

ASIO, V.B. 1996. Characteristics, weathering, formation, and degradation of soils from volcanic rocks in Leyte, Philippines. Hohenheimer Bodenkundliche Hefte 33, Stuttgart, Germany.
ASIO, V.B. 2007. Characteristics, fertility status, and management of degraded upland soils in Leyte. In: PARRFI Professorial Chair Lectures 1992-2006, Philippine Agricultural Resources Research Foundation Incorporated (PARRFI). Laguna
ASIO VB, JAHN R, PEREZ FO, NAVARRETE IA, AND ABIT SM JR. 2009. A review of soil degradation in the Philippines. Annals of Tropical Research 31:69-94
BREMNER, J.M., & C.S. MULVANEY. 1982. Total nitrogen. In A.L. Page et al. (ed.) Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2, Rev. ed. Am. Soc. of Agron., Madison, Wisconsin.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (FAO). 2006. Guidelines for soil description (4^th ed.). Rome, Italy.
GARRITY, D.P., KUMAR, D.M. &GUIANG, E.S. 1993. The Philippines. In: Committee on Sustainable Agriculture and Environment in the Humid Tropics, Board on Science and Technology for International Development and National Research Council, Sustainable Agriculture and the Humid Tropics. Washington D.C.: National Academy Press
INTERNATIONAL SOIL REFERENCE AND INFORMATION CENTER (ISRIC). 1995. Procedures for soil analysis (L.P. Van Reuwijk, Editor). Wageningen, the Netherlands. pp.106
LANDON R. 1991. Broker Tropical Soil Manual. Longman Scientific and Technical Corp. England.
NELSON, R.A. 1994. Soil erosion and conservation in the Philippine uplands. A review and literature. SEARCA-UQ Uplands Research Project. Working Paper No. 3, Los Baños, Laguna
NELSON, D.W. & L.E. SOMMERS. 1982. Total carbon, organic carbon and organic matter. In Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2. Chemical and Microbiological Properties, 2^nd Ed. A.L. Page et al. (eds.). ASA, Madison, WI, pp. 539-594
PREGITZIR, R. 1993. Impact of climate change on soil processes and soil biological activity. In: Global Climate Change (D. Atkinson, editor). Monograph No. 56, BCPC, Surrey, UK. pp: 71-82.
ROA, J.R. 2007. Food security in fragile lands. PhD Dissertation, Wageningen University, Netherlands
SCHLICHTING, E., H. P. BLUME & K. STAHR. 1995. Bodenkundliches Praktikum. (2. Auflage). Blackwell, Berlin.
STEINER, K.G. 1996. Causes of soil degradation and development approaches to sustainable soil management. Margraf Verlag, Weikersheimm Germany. pp 14-16