Chemical properties during different development stages of fruit orchards in the mekong delta (Vietnam)

This study to examine soil fertility status was conducted on 10 citrus plantations in Hau Giang province within the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Fruit trees are mostly grown on the raised beds to avoid annual flood with alluvial soil type. Soil sampling was done in the dry season of 2010 at two soil depths, for each raised bed. Development ages of raised beds were represented by two groups, young age group (≤ 30 years) and old age group (> 30 years). For chemical analysis, pH, organic matter, CEC, total nitrogen, NH 4+ , NO 3 – and exchangeable Ca, Mg and K were determined. The results showed that the pH (water) was strongly acid. The CEC was in average 19.2 cmol+.kg –1 in topsoil (0 - 20 cm depth) and 18.7 cmol+.kg –1 in subsoil (20 - 50 cm depth) for young age group. Similarly, the CEC was 16.7 cmol+.kg –1 in topsoil and 15.8 cmol + .kg –1 in subsoil for old age group. Organic matter on young age group (7.38 and 5.47% on average for topsoil and subsoil respectively) was significantly higher than that of old age group (5.20 and 3.81% on average for topsoil and subsoil respectively). Total nitrogen was not significantly different between the sites for the age groups of raised as well as the soil layers. Ammonium-N levels were excessive, and NO 3 - -N levels were high. Potassium and Mg 2+ were significantly different between age groups of raised beds and the same pattern between soil layers, while Ca 2+ did not vary significantly. Potassium and Ca 2+ levels were moderate, Mg 2+ was high and P levels were very high. Soil fertility in the raised beds subjected to an adverse on plant growth and an imbalance in soil nutrients under low pH conditions. Loss of soil quality was exhibited in reduced organic matter with the aging of raised beds.