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Physiographic and morphological variability of soils occupied by horticultural systems, Alto Motatan sub-basin, Merida state, Venezuela

Abstract:

The objective of this research was to determine soil physiographic and morphological variability in the area of influence of irrigation system El Rincón del Picacho, Andres Eloy Blanco parish, Miranda municipality, Merida state. This information was needed to identify and select soil to estimate its quality. Data was collected in the field to describe 19 soil profiles. Univariate statistical analysis was used to determine the physiographical and morphological characteristics using statistics: components (classes), frequency (percentage), mode, lower attribute and higher attribute. The physiographic characteristics ranged from very low proportionality with a class (morphografy, morphocronology and rocky surface) up to very high proportionality with six classes (slope). Morphological characteristics of epipedons classified from low proportion, with two classes (texture, moist consistency, wet consistency and biological activity), to very high proportion with five and seven classes (primary structure, secondary structure, roots and limits). In relation to endopedons, morphological characteristics were from very low with one class (texture) to very high with six and seven classes (roots and dry color). It is concluded that physiography of study area was heterogeneous for presenting slopes variables (15 to 45%) and rectilinear and non rectilinear topographic profiles, which influences the variability of pedogeomorphological balance of described profiles. Morphology characteristics of epipedons presented higher variability compared to endopedons, attributable to pedogenetic processes and intensive agricultural use.