Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – The Philippine Rice
Research Institute (PhilRice) has produced a guide book titled Simplified Keys
to Soil Series to provide farmers accurate soil identification through
qualitative analysis of the soil’s basic properties: color, texture, pH
(measure of acidity and alkalinity), and coarse fragments.
Wilfredo Collado, senior
science research specialist of Agronomy, Soils and Plant Physiology Division
(ASPPD), said that the tool will not just provide better approach towards
agro-technological transfer but will also help enhance agricultural
productivity in a farming area.
“Once the soil is identified,
most suitable crops can now be selected and planted, and at the same time,
proper soil management recommendations can be devised,” Mr. Collado explained
during a seminar titled “Key to Soil Series: A Tool for Improving Agricultural
Productivity,” on 22 July.
Mr. Collado also said that
farmers will also be guided on soil fertility and management, and appropriate
technology requirements for a particular crop.
Soil identification follows
simple methods from soil sampling, color determination, pH and texture
determination. The steps under these methods are detailed in the guide book.
A soil series guide book for
each of the major rice producing provinces of the country (Isabela, Nueva
Ecija, Iloilo, Pampanga, Tarlac, Aklan, Antique, Bataan, Bulacan, Pangasinan,
Zambales, Aurora, Cagayan, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental) is also
available.
The seminar was organized in
celebration of the International Year of Soils in 2015.
Farmers, extension workers,
or anyone interested may contact the PhilRice Text Center (0920-911-1398)
should they want to know more about the guide book. (PhilRice news)
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