Ou Reang Ov: A new soil group for the Cambodian agronomic soil classification

Seng, V., Bell, R.W.ORCID: 0000-0002-7756-3755, Schoknecht, N., Hin, S.ORCID: 0000-0003-0671-623X, Vance, W. and White, P.F. (2007) Ou Reang Ov: A new soil group for the Cambodian agronomic soil classification. Cambodian Journal of Agriculture, 8 . pp. 5-12.

Abstract

Basaltic terrain occupies significant areas of eastern Cambodia and occurs in pockets elsewhere in the north, north-east and north-west. Basaltic soils are likely to be prominent in the development of upland cropping; however, the nature and properties of these soils are poorly understood. In studies in Ou Reang Ov district of Kampong Cham province, a previously undescribed brown gravelly clay loam soil was found to be prevalent. In Ou Reang Ov district it comprises about 13 % of the basaltic terrain. It is morphologically distinct from the rice soils described for basaltic terrain (Labansiek and Kompong Siem Soil groups) and occurs on the slopes of basaltic hills and plateau. The Ou Reang Ov Soil group is a newly proposed member of the Cambodian Agronomic Soil Classification. The Ou Reang Ov Soil group is well drained and unsuited to padi rice. Indeed the gravel content of the soil makes field crops prone to drought. Apart from sub-soil acidity in some profiles, other soil chemical properties were generally favourable. Indeed the extractable P levels on Ou Reang Ov soil were generally high. Kaolin and quartz were the dominant minerals in Ou Reang Ov soil although the soil texture suggests that much of the quartz is in silt and clay size fractions. Smectite clay minerals were prevalent even though this soil does not exhibit cracking at the surface when dry. Although occurring on slopes, the Ou Reang Ov soil is relatively resistant to erosion. Overall it is considered to have fair to good capability for cropping, if drought tolerant crops are selected.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Environmental Science
Publisher:	Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute.
Copyright:	© Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/16041

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