50. Group of Soil Series No.50

This group of soils is medium-textured, well drained and moderately deep in areas of high precipitation. Lateritic layers or bed rocks is often found at the depth between 50 - 100 cm. Fertility is relatively low. Soil reaction is strong acid. Soils in this group are Sawi (Sw) and Phato (Pto) series.

Problems : Low fertility shallow sandy soils, lack of water, high erodibility.

Management for upland crops or vegetables : Upland and vegetable crops could be grown on thick leveled top soils with 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 . 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.