41. Group of Soil Series No.41

This group of soils is well drained or moderately well drained, deep, coarse-textured that developed from alluvial deposits of wash materials on undulating terrain. Major characteristics is thick sandy horizon which extend to 1 m. below soil surface. This sandy layer is commonly underlain by medium-textured soils which has lower permeability, causing impeded drainage in the surface and sometimes water-logging. These soils are low fertility whereas the soil reaction is strong to medium acid. Soils in this group are Ban Phi (Bpi), Kam Bong (Kg), and Maha Sarakham (Mk) series.                Majority of land uses are dry land upland crops and fruit trees i.e. maize , sorghum, cassava, legumes, mangoes and jackfruits.

Problems : Low fertility moderately thick sandy soils , lack of water in dry season and soil erosion in heavy rain.

Management for upland crops or vegetables : This group of soils need crop rotation. It needs 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) 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. Drainage is recommended in low areas.

Management for orchard : Soil preparation in 75*75*75 pit is to mix 25-50 kg compose or animal manure. Conserve the soils by cover crops, mulching, and contour or fencing the tree with vetiver. Application of compose 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.