CHARACTERISTICS OF SALINIZED ALLUVIAL SOIL FOR POMELO CULTIVATION IN GIONG TROM DISTRICT, BEN TRE PROVINCE

Abstract

The aims of the study was to determine the morphological and physiochemical characteristics of soil profiles for pomelo farming in Luong Hoa commune, Vinh Long province. The morphological description was done according to the Munsell color chart and the chemical analysis was conducted Can Tho University. The morphology of the pomelo soils belonged to deposited alluvial soil, with gley horizon and slight salinization and was classified as Hyposali Gleyic Fluvisols. The chemical features showed the pH_H2O and pH_KCl of 4.47 - 5.68 and 3.64 - 4.82 in the surface horizon, respectively. Simultaneously, the Al³⁺ toxicity was moderate with a mean of 2.41 - 7.96  meq/100 g. The available nitrogen and soluble P contents in the soil were 13.0 - 63.0 mg/kg and 39.2 - 547.8 mg/kg, respectively.  However, the contents of Al-P, Fe-P and Ca-P were high in the surface horizon with corresponding values of 273.6 - 655.0, 63.4 - 541.5, 122.5 - 229.1 mg/kg. The organic matter content and cation exchange capacity in the soil ranged from extremely low to moderate. Ultimately, improvements should be made in pH, EC and organic matter in pomelo orchards.