52. Group of Soil Series No.52

This group includes all soils that are shallow calcareous layer in low precipitation areas. Dark surface layer of salt that friable in moist condition. Fertility is high and soil reaction is neutral to alkaline. Soils in this group are Bung Chanang (Bng) and Takhli (Tk) series.                Majority of the land uses are maize, sugar cane, sunflowers, coconut, anona and other upland crops.

Problems : Shallow soils to marl or lime layer, crack in dry condition and stick in moist condition, lack of water in dry season and high alkalinity.

Management for upland crops or vegetables : Crops that are well grown is this soil group should be basic tolerated. It needs to be improved with 3-4 ton/rai compose fertilizer or animal manure in moist soils or mixed green manure (broadcast 10-12 kg/rai sword bean , 8-10 kg/rai cow pea or 6-8 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 or to the marl layer is to mix 15-25 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.