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Kompong Siem calcareous phase: A new phase of Kompong Siem Soil group for the Cambodian Agronomic Soil Classification
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Kompong Siem calcareous phase: A new phase of Kompong Siem Soil group for the Cambodian Agronomic Soil Classification

R.W. Bell, V. Seng, N. Schoknecht, S. Hin, W. Vance and P.F. White
Cambodia Journal of Agriculture, Vol.8, pp.29-35
2007
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Abstract

Upland agriculture is expanding rapidly in Cambodia, but in-depth studies of the soils have been confined to rice soils. In Battambang province, soils associated with limestone have been identified with distinctive properties for non -rice crops. These soils were characterised in Banan district through soil surveying, soil chemical analysis and crop production trials. Alkaline soils on the pediments and gently sloping plains surrounding limestone hills have low crop productivity on account of iron deficiency and alkalinity related constraints. It is proposed that these dark clay soils developed on limestone and related parent rocks be assigned to a calcareous phase of the Kompong Siem Soil group to distinguish them from related soils developed on basalt. The Kompong Siem calcareous phase is a very dark grey coloured soil with a high proportion of carbonate nodules. When it occurs on sites suitable for wetland rice, its color and texture should lead to identification as the Kompong Siem Soil group in the Cambodia Agronomic Soil Classification. However, on hill slopes, Kompong Siem calcareous phase is not suited to rice and hence such soils cannot presently be keyed to Kompong Siem Soil group.

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