54. Group of Soil Series No.54

This group of soils is moderately deep, fine-textured, well drained or moderately well drained in less precipitation areas that are developed from enrich carbonate and basic parent material. Soil surface will be cracked in dry season. Soil fertility is moderate. Soil reaction is high. Soils in this group are Lam Phyaklang (Lg), Lam Narai (Ln) and Samo Thod (Sat) series.                Majority of the land uses are various upland crops i.e. maize, sorghum, legumes and sugar cane with relatively low yield

Problems : Very high alkalinity (marl or lime within 100cm.) crack in dry condition and stick in moist condition, lack of water in dry season.

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 1-2 ton/rai compose fertilizer or animal manure in moist soils 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 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.