Abstract

ARROYO, Esteban A.; SANZANO, Agustín; ROJAS QUINTEROS, Hugo C.  and  NAVARRO DI MARCO, Jessica P.. Fertility status of soils in the sugarcane cropping area of Tucumán, Argentina: organic matter, nitrogen and soil pH. Rev. ind. agric. Tucumán [online]. 2022, vol.99, n.1, pp.37-42. ISSN 1851-3018.

Soil organic matter (SOM) decrease is not usually perceived as a problem since the im-provement of plant genetics and other technologies increase or maintain yields. However, approximately 50% of sugarcane nitrogen (N) requirement is provided by SOM. On the other hand, soil pH affects chemical, biological and physical properties of the soil. The objective of this study was to build maps that show the spatial distribution of organic mat-ter, total nitrogen content and pH of soils through the sugarcane cropping area of Tucu-mán, Argentina. Soil samples were taken at 0-30 cm depth in 2900 sites distributed throughout the sugarcane area. Data was processed in the geographic information systems QGIS version 2.14.11-Essen. Ordinary Kriging interpolation method (KO) was used. Soils with moderate (2-3%) and high (> 3%) SOM content were located in north-east region with an approximate area of 120000 ha and 6000 ha respectively. Soils with low SOM content (1-2%) were located in the central area, occupying 155000 ha (56% of the sugarcane area). Total nitrogen content distribution was similar to SOM´s. Moderately acidic soils (pH7.9 respectively) were concentrated at Simoca and Leales departments. These maps will help to visualize soils fertility status, assess their agricultural capability and plan sustainable management practices.

Keywords : soil; sugar cane; nutrients; map.

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