Publication: Soil classification, crop suitability assessment, and soil quality index of three selected sites in La Union
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Date
2024-05
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Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- North La Union Campus
Abstract
A land evaluation was carried out using Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
framework in the selected soil series in the Province of La Union. This study aimed to
characterize and classify the geomorphic and physico-chemical properties of the soils and
make a crop suitability assessment, and compute for the Soil Quality Index (SQI using
principal component analysis (PCA). The study sites were classified as Typic eutrudepts
(Bauang and Sinapanang series), and aeric epiaquepts (Pedon 3). The crop suitability
analysis revealed that Sinapangan soil series and pedon 2 are highly suitable (S3) for
robusta coffee with a suitability score of 98 and 99, respectively. Furthermore, Sinapangan
soil series is highly suitable (S1) for mango with minor limitation on climate ( c) and soil
physical properties (s). Meanwhile, Bauang soil series is moderately suitable (S2) for
maize, tobacco, upland rice, onion, tomato, green pepper, sweet potato, banana, mango,
and robusta coffee with a suitability score ranging from 70 to 80. On the other hand,
Sinapangan soil series is moderately suitable (S2) for maize, tobacco, irrigated and upland
rice, onion, tomato, green pepper, sweet potato, and banana with suitability ratings that
ranges from 72 to 80. Lastly, pedon 3 is moderately suitable (S2) for tobacco, irrigated
and upland rice, tomato, green pepper, sweet potato, peanut, banana, and mango with 62
80 suitability score. Overall, climate (c) and soil fertility (f) constraints limits the crop
suitability of the study areas. Addressing these limitations or concerns through proper
irrigation scheme, appropriate cropping pattern and application of organic matter can
increase crop yield in these sites. Lastly, the Soil Quality Index (SQI) of the upper 20cm of
the three study sites revealed a high SQI for Bauang series of 55.37%, and low SQI for
both Sinapangan series and Pedon 3, with index score of 49.29% and 45.47%, respectively.
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Citation
Medina, A.C. (2024). Soil classification, crop suitability assessment, and soil quality index of three selected sites in La Union. [Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- North La Union Campus, Bacnotan, La Union].