Characteristics and Potential Productivity of Sugarcane Growing Soils in

Abstract

A study on characteristics and potential productivity of sugarcane growing soils in Sa Kaeo province
was carried out on six representative soil areas.Methodology included studying field morphology, laboratory
analysis of soil samples on their physical, chemical properties and evaluating their potential productivity
for sugarcane growing soils. The results found that these soils are very deep, having sand to clay textures,
and their bulk density ranges from moderately low to very high. Soils have very strong acid to moderately
alkaline pH. They have very low to moderately high organic matter content, very low to medium total nitrogen
and available phosphorus, very low to very high available potassium and cation exchange capacity, very
low to very high sum of extractable base and low to high base saturation percentage. The results of suitability
assessment indicated that pedons 1, 4 and 5 are moderately suited for sugarcane with limitations on
nutrient availability (s), pedons 2, 3 and 6 are poorly suited for sugarcane, where pedon 2 and 6 have
limitations on rooting condition (r) and pedon 3 have limitations on nutrient availability (s) and nutrient

retention (n). The results of fertility capability classification revealed that FCC units of pedons 1-6 are Cdbp
SLd”ehk SLdaepk Cdpk Cdk and Ld”epk, respectively. Most of these soils have limitation on water
shortage, low available phosphorus and low extracable potassium.