Characterization of Selected Problem Soils in Capiz, Philippines: Basis for the Development of an Intervention Program

Soil survey and characterization were conducted in five identified locations in the province of Capiz, Philippines, to determine the occurrence of problem soils. Site description and soil profiling were done in each site. Soil samples were collected and processed. Soil physical properties that were determined included soil texture, soil structure, soil color, bulk density, and soil porosity. The chemical properties of soil analyzed were pH, soil organic matter, total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and electrical conductivity (EC). The microbial respiration rate was determined for the soil's biological properties. The physical, chemical, and biological properties of topsoil and subsoil of the five sites were interpreted using their means and compared with the established values for different soil parameters indicative of each problem soil. Results revealed that the site in Sitio Asag, Barangay Lonoy, Sapian, Capiz, qualified to be a saline soil because of its EC and pH values. The subsoil is a potential acid sulfate soil. The site in Sitio Cabugao, Barangay Burias, Mambusao, Capiz was confirmed to be a nutrient-depleted soil, particularly of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. The site is also an acidic soil with very shallow true soil. The site in Sitio Proper, Barangay Duyoc, Dao, Capiz, was, at the time of sampling, not considered compact soil. However, the site has the potential tto become compact soil if the production practices remain the same or if not managed properly. The site in Sitio Agkawayan, Barangay Burias, Mambusao, Capiz, proved to be a strongly acidic soil and a nutrient-depleted soil. The site in Sitio Proper, Barangay Agloloway, Jamindan, Capiz, revealed degraded soil and is presently under the state of recovery. Hence, an intervention program was crafted to address the soil problems in each site.