34. Group of Soil Series No.34

This group of soils is well drained, deep, medium-textured ( sandy loam to sandly clay loam ) occupies on footslopes, alluvial fan or terrace. Rainfall distribution of the areas is relatively high. Fertility of these soils are generally low. Soils in this group are Chalong (Chl), Fang Daeng (Fd), Kuan Kalong (Kkl), Klong Tom (Km), Klong Nok Kratung (Knk), Lahan (Lh), Na Tam (Ntm) and Ta Sae (Te) series.                These soils are exclusively used for cultivation of fruit trees, para-rubber and oil palm.

Problems : Low fertility, lack of water in dry season and soil erosion on steep slope

Management for upland crops or vegetables : Upland crops or vegetables will grow better in leveling ground. Soils need to be improved with 2-3 ton/rai compose fertilizer or animal manure or mixed green manure (broadcast 8-10 kg/rai sword bean , 6-8 kg/rai cow pea or 4-6 kg/rai Crotalaria juncia) and mix with soils before flowering and leave for 1-2 weeks. Chemical or liquid LDD fertilizer will also be applied according to recommendation . Plants should be grown on the contour or strip cropping with mulching . Soil should be conserved by vetiver around the areas. Farm ponds are recommended to preserve water to be used in dry season.

Management for orchard : Soil preparation in 50*50*50 pit is to mix 20-35 kg compose fertilizer or animal manure. Conserve the soils by cover crops, mulching, and contour or fencing the tree with vetiver. Application of compose fertilizer or animal manure with chemical or liquid LDD fertilizer at vegetative growth, before and after harvesting. Farm ponds are recommended to preserve water to be used in dry season.