Soil Fertility Evaluation For Rice Production In Catanduanes Province, Philippines

摘要

Abstract: The study evaluates soil fertility status of rice fields in the eleven (11) municipalities of Catanduanes, Philippines. A stratified random sampling was used to cluster sampling sites into strata and come up a random proportional population size. Soil samples from each sampling site were gathered and analyzed for organic matter (OM) content, soil pH, available phosphorus and potassium following the BSWM (Bureau of Soils and Water Management) procedures with the aid of Soil Spectrophotometer and Flamephotometer (SPF-3).Soil texture and soil color of the samples were also determined using feel method and visual comparison, respectively. Results were implicated into individual fertilizer recommendation peculiar to sampling site within respective municipality. Moreover, a soil fertility map was delineated thru DIVA-GIS software by plotting local coordinates in Google Map. With reference to ideal pH for rice, six (6) towns exhibited favorable pH (5.5-7.0) range while five (5) towns were observed with strongly acidic (pH 3% - favorable; 10ppm (Olsen P method) while six (6) municipalities categorically indicate high K content equivalent to≥82ppm. The overall mean results for soil pH level, OM, P and K content of majority of the rice fields in Catanduanes, Philippines werefavorable for lowland rice production, however, the ideal pH and NPK levels may be constantly checked following the recommendations given to maintain optimum possible harvests of rice.