Variabilidad fisicoquímica de tierras ocupadas por sistemas hortícolas, subcuenca Alto Motatán, Estado Mérida, Venezuela.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine soil physicochemical variability in the area of influence of Committee of irrigation El Rincon del Picacho, Andres Eloy Blanco parish, Miranda municipality, Merida State; information needed to identify and select soil attributes enabling to estimate soil quality. 19 soil profiles were described. The univariate statistical analysis was used to determine the variability of physical and chemical characteristics using the parameters: minimum, maximum, range, average, standard error, standard deviation and coefficient of variation. The physical characteristics of epipedons were classified as from very low (% sand and bulk density) to very high variability (% clay). The physical characteristics of endopedons were also from low (% sand) to very high variability (% coarse fragment). The physical characteristics that showed greater variability, in order descending according to the value of coefficient of variation, were: % coarse fragment of endopedon, % clay of epipedon, % coarse fragment of epipedon, thickness of endopedon and effective depth. The characteristics chemical of epipedon were classified as from very low (pH) up to very high variability (total acidity, sum CIC, aluminium, Ca2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Al3+and H+). The chemical characteristics of endopedones were mainly classified of high to very high variability, only pH and % base saturation were classified of very low to low variability, respectively. In conclusion, the chemical characteristics showed greater variability compared to the physical characteristics.