CAPIZ

This guidebook belongs to:

Name: _____________________________

Address: ___________________________

Contact number: ____________________

Authors
PhilRice®
Wilfredo B. Collado
Rona T. Dollentas
Jovino L. De Dios
Judith Carla P. Dela Torre
Jesiree Elena Ann D. Bibar

UP Los Baños
Rodrigo B. Badayos
Armando E. Soliman

Managing Editor / Layout Artist

Rodolfo V. Bermudez, Jr

Editorial Adviser
Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr

Philippine Rice Research Institute

Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
Copyright © 2013

i SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 CAPIZ

This guidebook was funded by the project

“Identification, Biophysical Characterization and
Mapping of the Rice Areas of the Philippines” of
PhilRice® (ISD -002-001).

Capiz ii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword……………………………………….. iv
The Simplified Keys to Soil Series…………. 1
Guide to Soil Series Identification.................. 2
Color Groups.................................................. 5
Yellowish/Strong Brown…….................. 6
Black/Grayish Brown...………................ 8
Soil Profile & Characteristics.......................... 11
Soil Productivity …………………………......... 22
Crop Suitability Analysis.….......................... 24
Soil Management Recommendations............ 29
Appendices……………………………….……. 35
Steps to Identify Soil Series……............... 36
Soil Sampling....................................... 36
Color Determination............................. 37
Texture Determination.......................... 38
pH Determination................................. 39
The PalayCheck® System……………..…….. 40
Glossary………………………………………… 42
References…………………………………….. 44

iii SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

FOREWORD
This guidebook on “Simplified Keys to Soil Series” was
developed for easier field identification of soils.
Soil identification is an important component in rice farming.
When the soil is properly analyzed and identified, the risks of
incompatible management recommendations will be lessened
and selection of knowledge and technologies to apply will be
efficient.
This is a good guide for effective nutrient management, which
is one of the components of the PalayCheck® System, a
dynamic rice crop management system that presents
easy-to-follow practices to achieve respective Key Checks
and improve crop yield and input-use efficiency.
It features the different colors, textures, pH, and other
observable properties of the most common soils of Capiz and
contains four simple steps in identifying the soil series right in
the field. It also includes the soil productivity index, soil
properties that affect crop growth, soil taxonomic
classification, crop suitability analysis, and soil management
recommendations. The concept of simplified keys to soil
series was first used in Thailand. In the Philippines, the pro-
ject “Simplification of the Philippine Soil Series for Rice and
Corn” started in 2005 under the Nutrient Management
Support System (NuMASS) to provide management
recommendations for soils identified in the field.
We thank the farmers, agricultural technologists, and munici-
pal and provincial agriculturists for helping us validate the soil
series. We also acknowledge the Bureau of Soils and Water
Management (BSWM) for providing the secondary data of the
soils used in this guidebook.

EUFEMIO T. RASCO, JR
Executive Director

Capiz iv
 The Simplified Keys
to Soil Series
The “Simplified Keys to Soil Series” is a tool to
identify soil series in the field following simple steps
for the use of farmers, extension workers, agricultural
technologists, researchers, and other stakeholders.
Using this guidebook, identification of soil will be
more accurate reducing the risk of incompatible
management and technology recommendations.
Selection of knowledge and technologies could also
be easy and efficient with the identification of soil
series. For instance, because some soil series
behave similarly, the management practices and
technology suitable in known soil names are
expected to be adaptable in the same soil series of a
different regions.

This guidebook is easy to use. Using only five basic

soil properties (color, texture, pH, coarse fragments,
and mottles) at 30-50cm soil depth and following the
simple steps provided, the soil series in the field
could be identified. Once the soil is known, a
compilation of thematic information related to the use
of soils especially in crop production such as
selection of suitable crops, crop productivity ratings,
soil properties that limit production, and soil
management recommendations can be determined.

This guidebook includes the 10 soil series in the

provinces of Capiz namely: Alimodian, Bantog, Far-
aon, Luisiana, Maligaya, San Manuel, Sapian, Sara,
San Rafael, and Sta. Rita.

1 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 GUIDE TO SOIL SERIES IDENTIFICATION

1. Conduct preliminary interview on the historical

background of your sampling site. Gather
information on cultivation practices, natural
occurrences such as
flood, erosion, and
human activities that
affect the condition and
structure of the soil.
Check whether the soil
was disturbed or
scraped.

2. From a vacant area of

your identified site, dig a
pit or use an auger to get
the soil samples needed.

3. Soil samples should be taken from a

recommended soil
depth to make sure
that the condition
and structure of the
soil is well preserved
and free from any
kind of cultivation
(see page 36).

Capiz 2
 4. Know the color of the soil. Col-
or is one of the most im-
portant physical properties of
the soil as indicative to series
recognition. Each soil series
has its distinct inherent color
which makes it different from
the other series (see page 37).

5. Identify the texture of the

soil. Texture is a unique
property used as qualitative
classification tool to deter-
mine classes of soil
(see page 38).

6. Determine the soil pH.

The measure of acidity
or alkalinity in soils is
known as soil pH. This
measurement corre-
sponds to specific soil
series (see page 39).

7. Take note of other observable soil properties

such as polished surfaces (cutans/slickensides),
softness, hardness, stickiness, etc.

slickenside mottles

3 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

8. Take note of the presence or absence of coarse
fragments such as limestone, rock fragments,
lateritic nodules, black manganese (Mn) and red
iron (Fe) concretions, sand materials, and other
observable properties of the soil taken from
surfaces up to 50 cm depth.

Lateritic nodules

Manganese concretions Quartz

9. Use the Simplified

Keys to Soil Series
Book and compare all
soil properties starting
from the color until the
soil name is identified.

Capiz 4
SOIL
Color Groups
Yellowish/Strong Brown (go to pages 6-7)

Black/Grayish Brown (go to pages 8-10)

5 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

Yellowish/Strong Brown

Texture: Clay/Clay loam

Alimodian (figure on page 12)

Coarse fragments None to occasionally present

pH 5.5-7.0

Others Shiny surfaces; hard and

slightly compact

Texture: Clay/Silt loam

Luisiana (figure on page 15)

Coarse fragments None

pH 4.5 – 5.5

Others Red specks and black spot

mottles

Capiz 6
Yellowish/Strong Brown

Texture: Silty clay loam/Silt loam/Silty clay

Sara (figure on page 19)

Coarse fragments Gravels (occasional); soft

powdery red concretions

pH 5.5 – 6.0

Red streaks; large red and

Others gray spots; moderately
compact; smooth and shiny
surfaces

Texture: Clay loam/Loam/Sand

San Rafael (figure on page 20)

Coarse fragments Faint quartz; weathered

andesite and diorite

pH 4.5 – 6.0

Others Red and black spots

7 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

Black/Grayish Brown

Texture: Clay

Bantog (figure on page 13)

Few soft powdery black Mn

Coarse fragments concretions

pH 6.0 – 7.5
Red and black streaks;
smooth, shiny surfaces
Others (slickensides); compact;
surface cracking during dry
periods

Texture: Clay

Faraon (figure on page 14)

Limestone (grayish-white
Coarse fragments rock)

pH 7.0 – 8.0
Hard gray coralline limestone
Others rock below 35 cm depth

Capiz 8
Black/Grayish Brown

Texture: Clay

Maligaya (figure on page 16)

Soft powdery red and black

Coarse fragments concretions

pH 6.5 – 7.5

Others Smooth and shiny surfaces

(slickenside); compact

Texture: Clay/Clay loam/Sandy loam

Sapian (figure on page 18)

Hard powdery black concre-

tions; some weathered rock
Coarse fragments fragments and gravels (brown,
gray, & red); black basaltic
rock outcrops/boulders

pH 4.0 – 5.0

Others Dark brown spots

9 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

Black/Grayish Brown

Texture: Silty clay loam/Clay loam/Loam

San Manuel (figure on page 17)

Coarse fragments None

pH 6.5 – 8.5

Brick red streaks; brown and

Others gray spot mottles; gray shiny
surfaces (clay skins); slightly
compact

Texture: Clay

Sta. Rita (figure on page 21)

Coarse fragments Soft powdery black concretions

pH 6.5 – 7.5

Red spot mottles; smooth and

Others shiny surfaces; surface
cracking during dry periods;
compact

Capiz 10
SOIL Profile and
Characteristics

11 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 Alimodian Soil Fertility Indicators

00 cm Inherent fertility Low to moderate

Soil pH Acid (4.5 – 6.5)
Organic matter Low to moderate
14
Phosphorus (P) Low to moderate
Potassium (K) Low to moderate
28 Nutrient retention
High
(CEC)
Base saturation Moderate to high
Salinity hazard Low

Physical Soil Qualities

Relief Rolling to mountainous
55
Water retention High

Drainage Good
Permeability Moderate
Workability/tilth Easy

Stoniness Occasional
88
Root depth Moderate (0.6 m)
Erosion Moderate to severe
Flooding None

Soil Type: : Clay loam

Family: Fine, smectitic (ca.), isohyperthermic, Calcic Hap-

A fine-textured soil with large amount of clay (35 – 60%), developed from
soft and porous sedimentary rocks, e.g. shale and sandstones. An old
soil that exhibits illuvial accumulation of clay in the subsoil from the
underlying horizons and has retained a high base status (-alf, Alfisol),
with high amount of calcium in the subsoil (calcic). It has a minimum
complexity in its horizonation (Hapl-). It is found in areas with pronounced
wet and dry seasons (-ust-, Ustic) with a mean annual soil temperature
higher than 22°C (isohyperthermic). This soil is traversed by several
creeks and rivers.

Capiz 12
 Bantog Soil Fertility Indicators

00 cm Inherent fertility Moderate to high

Slightly acid– basic
Ap Soil pH
(6.5 – 8.0)

Organic matter Moderate to high

15
Phosphorus (P) Moderate to high
AB
Potassium (K) Low to moderate
40
Nutrient retention
(CEC) High
Bg1
Base saturation High
Salinity hazard Low
70
Physical Soil Qualities

Relief Level to slightly

Bg2
undulating
Water retention High
110 Drainage Somewhat poor
Permeability Slow
Workability/tilth Hard
Bg3
Stoniness None
Root depth Deep (>1 m)
Erosion None
Flooding None to seasonal

Soil Type: Clay

Family: Very fine, mixed, isohyperthermic, Aeric Calciaquert

A very fine-textured soil with high clay content (>60%) composed of
mixed minerals. This soil is developed from recent alluvial deposits
washed down from the nearby hills and uplands. It is saturated with
water repeatedly (-aqu) but is well aerated because either
groundwater is deep or the period of saturation is shorter (Aeric).
This soil has high calcium saturation in its subsoil horizon (Calci-). It
has a mean annual soil temperature higher than 22°C

13 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 Faraon Soil Fertility Indicators
00 cm Inherent fertility High
Slightly acid–
Soil pH
basic (6.5 – 8.0)
Organic matter Moderate to high
A Phosphorus (P) Low to moderate
Potassium (K) Moderate
9 Nutrient retention
High
(CEC)
Base saturation High
Salinity hazard Low

Physical Soil Qualities

BW Relief Rolling to hilly
Water retention High
Drainage Good
Permeability Slow
Workability/tilth Moderate

25 Stoniness Common to many

Root depth Shallow (0.3m)
BC Erosion Moderate to severe

Soil Type: Clay Area: 10, 900 ha

Family: Fine, isohyperthermic, Lithic Haplustolls

A calcareous fine-textured soil with less than 65% clay, developed
from the weathering of the soft and porous coralline limestone
which is usually grayish but becomes orange to dark yellowish-gray
upon weathering. It is dark-colored, with high organic matter con-
tent (-oll) and high base status. Limestone fragments are
found in the shallow horizon (lithic). It is usually found in areas with
pronounced wet and dry seasons (-ust, Ustic) and mean annual
temperature higher than 22°C (isohyperthermic).

Capiz 14
 Luisiana Soil Fertility Indicators
00 cm Inherent fertility Low

Soil pH Acid (4.5 –5.5)

Ap
Organic matter Low
20 Phosphorus (P) Low

AB Potassium (K) Low

Nutrient retention (CEC) Moderate
35
Base saturation Low
Salinity hazard Low

Physical Soil Qualities

Relief Rolling to mountainous
Bt1
Water retention High
Drainage Good
Permeability Moderate
Workability/tilth Easy
89
Stoniness None
Root depth Very deep (>2 m)
Bt2
Erosion Moderate to severe
Flooding None

Soil Type: Clay loam Area: 18, 717 ha

Family: Very fine, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic, Ustic Palehu-

A very deep (pale), fine-textured soil having clay content of high-

er than 60% dominated by kaolinite minerals, developed from
highly weathered volcanic basaltic rock materials. It is a highly
leached old soil with accumulation of clay in the lower horizon
and low base status (-ult, Ultisol). It is found in highlands
(hum-) with pronounced wet and dry seasons (ustic) and a mean
annual soil temperature higher than 22°C (isohyperthermic).

15 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 Maligaya Soil Fertility Indicators

00 cm Inherent fertility Moderate to high

Slightly acid– neutral
Soil pH
(6.5 – 7.5)
8
Organic matter Low to moderate
Apg1
Phosphorus (P) Moderate to high
16
Potassium (K) Low
Nutrient retention
High
(CEC)
Apg2 Base saturation High
Salinity hazard Low

40 Physical Soil Qualities

Relief Level to slightly

undulating
53 Water retention High
Btg1
Drainage Somewhat poor
Permeability Slow
Workability/tilth Hard
74
Stoniness None

Btg2 Root depth Deep (>1 m)

Flooding None to seasonal

Soil Type: Clay Area: 10, 834 ha

Family: Fine, smectitic (ca.). Isohyperthermic, Typic Calci-

A fine-textured soil with high amounts of clay (35 – 60%) dominated by

minerals with high shrink and swell capacity (smectitic) that cause deep
wide cracks resulting in rapid drying of the soil, and washing of some soil
materials into cracks when rain comes accounting for relatively low OM
content of the surface soil; very sticky and has low hydraulic conductivity
when wet; and compact when dry. This soil is saturated with water for
repeated periods (-aqu) of time and has high calcium saturation in its
subsoil horizons. The mean annual soil temperature is higher than 22°C
(isohyperthermic).

Capiz 16
 San Manuel Soil Fertility Indicators
Inherent fertility Moderate to high
00 cm
Ap1
6 Slightly acid– neutral
Soil pH
(6.5 – 7.5)
Organic matter Moderate
Ap2 Phosphorus (P) Moderate
Potassium (K) Moderate
Nutrient retention
36 High
(CEC)
Base saturation High
Bw1 Salinity hazard Low

Physical Soil Qualities

69 Level to slightly
Relief
undulating
Bw2
Water retention High
90 Drainage Good
Permeability Moderate to rapid
Workability/tilth Easy
Bw3 Stoniness None
Root depth Deep (>1 m)
Flooding Seasonal

Soil Type: Clay loam/Sandy clay loam

Family: Fine loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Fluvaquentic Epiaquept

A non-calcareous soil formed in recent water-deposited sediments,
mainly in flood plains. As such these soils are subject to frequent
flooding (Fluv-) and therefore stratified, saturated with water for
repeated periods of time (aquic), and contain appreciable amount of
organic carbon. It is in the incipient development toward a mature
soil (-epts, Inceptisol). It is a fine loamy-textured soil having mod-
erate amount of clay (18 – 35%). It has a mean annual soil
temperature higher than 22°C (isohyperthermic).

17 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 Sapian Soil Fertility Indicators

00 cm Inherent fertility Low

Soil pH Acid (4.0 – 4.5)
15 Organic matter Low
Phosphorus (P) Deficient
Potassium (K) Deficient

30 Nutrient retention
Low
(CEC)
Base saturation Low
Salinity hazard Low
46
Physical Soil Qualities
Relief Rolling to mountainous
Water retention Moderate
Drainage Good to excessive
62
Permeability Slow to moderate
Workability/tilth Hard to moderate

Stoniness Gravels & stones; rock

outcrops
Root depth Deep (0.7 m)
Erosion Slight to severe
86

Soil Type: Clay

Family: Very fine, isohyperthermic, Typic Hapludults

A very fine-textured soil with high amounts of clay (> 60%). It is

an old soil which has undergone an extensive leaching of basis
and accumulation of clay in the subsoil (-ult, Ultisol). It is found
in areas with well distributed rainfall (-ud, Udic), a mean annual
soil temperature higher than 22°C (isohyperthermic). This soil is
bisected by numerous gullies and creeks.

Capiz 18
 Sara Soil Fertility Indicators

00 cm Inherent fertility Moderate

Slightly Acid
Soil pH
(5.0 – 6.0)
Ap
Organic matter Low

13 Phosphorus (P) Moderate

Potassium (K) Low
Nutrient retention
Moderate to high
(CEC)
A
Base saturation High
Salinity hazard Low

Physical Soil Qualities

38 Relief Level to gently rolling

Water retention Moderate
Drainage Moderate
Permeability Slow
Bw Workability/tilth Moderate
Stoniness Occasional gravels
Root depth Deep (> 1 m)
66 Erosion None

Bc Flooding None to seasonal

Soil Type: Clay loam/Sandy loam

Family: Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Epiaquept

A fine-textured soil having 35 – 60% clay dominated by minerals

with high shrink and swell capacity (smectitic) creating wide
cracks; very sticky when wet and compacted when dry. It is in the
incipient development towards a mature soil (-ept, Inceptisol).
This soil is saturated with water for repeated periods of time (-
aqu-, aquic) and has an annual soil temperature higher than
22°C (isohyperthermic).

19 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 San Rafael Soil Fertility Indicators
00 cm Inherent fertility Very low to low

Soil pH Acid (4.5 –5.0)

9
Organic matter Low
Ap Phosphorus (P) Moderate
Potassium (K) Deficient
Nutrient retention
23 Low
(CEC)
Base saturation Low
Salinity hazard Low

Physical Soil Qualities

Relief Hilly & mountainous
C1
Water retention Low
49
Drainage Good
Permeability Moderate
Workability/tilth Easy
C2
Stoniness Gravelly
72
Root depth Deep (0.9 m)
Erosion Severe
Flooding None

Soil Type: Loam Area: 8, 343 ha

Family: Mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Tropopsamments

This is a sandy-textured soil (psamm-) with isohyperthermic tem-
perature regime (>22°C). It is a young soil with only slight
development; properties are determined largely by the parent
materials (Entisol, -ent). It is a typical representative of the
great group Psammaquent. This soil is saturated with water for
repeated periods (aqu-).

Capiz 20
 Sta. Rita Soil Fertility Indicators
Inherent fertility High
00 cm
Slightly acid– neutral
Soil pH
Apg (6.5 – 7.5)
Organic matter Moderate to high
13
Phosphorus (P) Moderate to high
Potassium (K) Moderate to high
Nutrient retention
High
(CEC)
ABg Base saturation Very high
Salinity hazard Low

Physical Soil Qualities

Relief Level to slightly undulat-

56
ing
Water retention High
Drainage Poor to moderate
Permeability Slow
Bg
Workability/tilth Hard
Stoniness None
Root depth Deep (>1 m)
100
Flooding Seasonal
BCg

Soil Type: Clay

Family: Fine, smectitic (ca.). Isohyperthermic, Typic Epia-

A young soil (-ept, Inceptisol) developed from recent alluvial de-
posits of fine soil material from surrounding uplands. It is fine-
textured with 35 – 60% clay dominated by minerals with high shrink
and swell capacity (smectitic) creating wide cracks at the surface;
very sticky when wet and becomes hard upon drying. This soil is
saturated with water (-aqu, aqua) for repeated periods of time. It
has a mean annual soil temperature higher than 22°C
(isohyperthermic).

21 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 SOILproductivity
Soil productivity is the quality of a soil that
summarizes its potential in producing plants or
sequences of plants under defined sets of
management practices. It is also a synthesis of
conditions of soil fertility, water control, plant species,
soil tilth, pest control and physical environment
(Bainroth, 1978: Badayos, 1990). In economic terms,
it is a measure of amount of inputs of production
factors required to correct soil limitation(s) to attain a
certain level of production. It is expressed as average
crop yield under defined sets of management classes
(Badayos, 1990).

Soil productivity index is used for making compari-

sons among soils; categorized into inherent and
potential. The inherent productivity is the natural
capacity of the soil to produce a given yield while the
potential refers to the capacity of the soil to produce
yield after correctible soil constraints had been rem-
edied. In economics, the predicted inherent yield is
calculated by multiplying the inherent index by the
maximum potential yield of rice; predicted maximum
possible yield is computed by multiplying the
potential index by the maximum potential yield. For
instance, the maximum potential yield in the dry
season is 8 tons/hectare, and the inherent and
potential productivity ratings for Alimodian series is
0.67 and 0.80, respectively. Then, the predicted
inherent and potential yields of rice in Alimodian soils
are 5.36 and 6.4 tons/hectare, respectively.

Capiz 22
 Table 1. Soil productivity index for rice.

Inherent Potential
Soil Series
Productivity Productivity
Alimodian 0.67 0.80
Bantog 0.81 0.91
Faraon 0.48 0.60
Luisiana 0.23 0.43
Maligaya 0.83 0.93
San Manuel 0.75 0.85
Sapian 0.31 0.46
Sara 0.75 0.83
San Rafael 0.43 0.55
Sta. Rita 0.65 0.83

23 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 CROP
Suitability Analysis
Soil suitability classification refers to the use of a piece of
land on a sustainable basis based on physical and chem-
ical properties and environmental factors. It is the ultimate
aim of soil survey and may come up through a good judg-
ment and thorough evaluation of soil properties and quali-
ties such as soil depth, soil texture, slope, soil drainage,
erosion, flooding, and fertility. Based on these properties,
the suitability of a certain tract of land for crop production
was determined.

Suitability ratings denote qualitative analysis of the

potential of the soil to different crops. It implies what
crop(s) would give the highest benefit in terms of produc-
tivity and profitability from a given soil type, indicated by
S1 as the most suitable down to S3 as marginally suitable.
The symbol N implies that the crop is either currently not
suitable (N1) where the effect of limitation is so severe as
greatly to reduce the yield or to require costly inputs, or
permanently not suitable (N2) where the limitations cannot
be corrected permanently. Crop suitability analysis also
provides information on soil properties that limit the
production of specified crop(s).

When using a parametric system, the soil index can be

equated into percentages shown below. It means that you
can attain 75% of the potential crop yield when the soil
index is highly suitable while less than 25% of the potential
yield when the soil index is not suitable.

S1: soil index >75 S3: soil index 25-50

S2: soil index 50-75 N: soil index <25

Capiz 24
 Table 2a. The crop suitability ratings for different soil series of Capiz.

Rice Rice
Sugar-
Soil Series Irrigated Rainfed Rice Upland Maize Tobacco Peanut Beans Tomato
cane
Lowland Lowland

Alimodian N1t S2tf S2tf S2t S3f S3sc S2sf S3fc S3fc

Bantog S2s S1 S2fs S3w S3s S3sc S3sw S3sc S3sc

25 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

Faraon N2tws S3tfs S3tfs S3tf S3tfs S3tfsc S3ts N2tsc S3tfsc

Luisiana N2tf S3tfs S3tf N1tf S3tf S3tfsc S3wf S3tfc S3tfc

Maligaya S1f S1f S2f S2fs S2fw S3wsf S3fws N2c S3ws

Suitability Ratings: Limitations due to:

S1 - Highly suitable t- Topography; slope
S2 - Moderately suitable w- Drainage; flooding

S3 - Marginally suitable s- Texture; coarse fragments; soil depth

N1 - Currently not suitable f- Soil fertility

N2 - Permanently not suitable c- Climate

 Table 2a. The crop suitability ratings for different soil series of Capiz (continuation).

Rice Rice
Sugar-
Soil Series Irrigated Rainfed Rice Upland Maize Tobacco Peanut Beans Tomato
cane
Lowland Lowland
San Manuel S2sf S3sf S2fs S1 S3w S2w S3w S3w S3w

Sapian N1tfs N1ts S3fs S3tsf S3fts S3sftc N1fts N2c S3tsf

Sara S2fs S2fs S2fws S2ws S3fs S3fsc N1fwt S3fwcs S3fwc

San Rafael N2tfs N1fws S3tfs N1f S3f N1fc N1fts N1fc S1

Sta. Rita S2sf S1 S1 S2s S3w S3fsc N2ws N2sc S3sc

Suitability Ratings: Limitations due to:
S1 - Highly suitable t- Topography; slope
S2 - Moderately suitable w- Drainage; flooding

S3 - Marginally suitable s- Texture; coarse fragments; soil depth

N1 - Currently not suitable f- Soil fertility

Capiz
N2 - Permanently not suitable c- Climate

26
 Table 2b. The crop suitability ratings for different soil series of Capiz.

Soil Series Camote Cassava Onion Watermelon Banana Papaya Mango Sorghum

Alimodian S3fc S2ws N2fsc S2fs S2f S2wfs S2fs S2cs

Bantog S3fsc S3ws S3sc S3s S2fs N2ws S3ws S2cs

Faraon S3tfsc N2tfs N2tfsc N2tfs S3tfs S3tfs N2tfs N2tfs

27 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

Luisiana N1tfc S2tf N2tfc S3tfs S3tf S3tfs S3tfs S3f

Maligaya S2w N2ws N2ws S3wfs S2wsf N2ws S2wf S2fs

Suitability Ratings: Limitations due to:

S1 - Highly suitable t- Topography; slope
S2 - Moderately suitable w- Drainage; flooding

S3 - Marginally suitable s- Texture; coarse fragments; soil depth

N1 - Currently not suitable f- Soil fertility

N2 - Permanently not suitable c- Climate

 Table 2b. The crop suitability ratings for different soil series of Capiz (continuation).

Soil Series Camote Cassava Onion Watermelon Banana Papaya Mango Sorghum

San Manuel S2w S3ws S3w S2w S2ws N2w S2w S2cw

Sapian N1fst S3tsf S3ftcs N1fst S3fts N2fs N2f S3cft

Sara S3fwc S2fw N2fwc S2fws S2fws S3fws S3fws S3fcs

San Rafael S3fc S3f N2tfc N1f S2fs N2f S3f S3cfs

Sta. Rita S3fsc S3ws S3sc S3s S2fs S3fws S3ws S2c

Suitability Ratings: Limitations due to:

S1 - Highly suitable t- Topography; slope
S2 - Moderately suitable w- Drainage; flooding

S3 - Marginally suitable s- Texture; coarse fragments; soil depth

Capiz
N1 - Currently not suitable f- Soil fertility

N2 - Permanently not suitable c- Climate

28
 SOILManagement
recommendations
Soil management aims to protect soil and enhance
its performance to increase farm profitably and
preserve environmental quality. It is the combination
of soil factors to maximize crop production at the
lowest possible cost while maintaining the soil’s
productive state. It involves maintaining the soil in
good physical condition and fertility status, and
influencing the biological aspect of the soil to attain
maximum benefits (Harpstead, et al. 1997).

Soil management recommendations suitable for each

soil identified were enumerated in the succeeding
pages. Soil factors such as slope, texture, and
climate cannot be changed. However, control tillage,
crop rotations, soil amendments, and other
management choices can be done. Through these
choices, the structure, biological activity, and
chemical content of soil can be altered and later on
influence erosion rates, pest population, and nutrient
availability and crop production.

29 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 Table 3. Limitations to crop production and recommended management strategies for different
crops when grown in a given soil series.

Soil Management Recommendations

Limitation
Soil Series
for crop production Tree/Forest/
Rice Diversified crops Root crops
Plantation crops
Heavy clay subsoil that Adequate fertiliza- Organic matter incor- Deep plowing; Plant cover crops, trees
can impede internal tion; seedbed poration; liming; mini- adequate fertilizer and legumes to restore
drainage and root devel- configuration; mum tillage; deep application; inten- fertility and minimize
opment; hilly topogra- terracing; liming in plowing; mulching sive soil conserva- erosion; construct dikes
Alimodian
phy; acidic upland rice tion practices of stones across the
slope
Cropping pattern: upland rice-corn/ sorghum/ vegetables/ rootcrops
Poor drainage which Practice shallow Adequate drainage, Provide adequate Establishment of ade-
can cause low N miner- cultivation when irrigation, and flood drainage and irri- quate drainage and flood
alization and Zn defi- soil moisture is at control systems; use gation systems; control systems; use
ciency; very hard when optimum; ade- broadbeds, ridges or apply organic resi- suitable tree species and
dry, and difficult to culti- quate water con- furrows and mulching; dues and farm proper fertilization
Bantog vate when wet; season- trol systems; prop- application of plant manures
al flooding in low areas; er maintenance of residues and animal
slow permeability dikes manure

Capiz
Cropping pattern: lowland rice - lowland rice; diversified crops/ vegetables/ rootcrops;
rice-mungo/ tobacco/ corn

30
 Table 3. Limitations to crop production and recommended management strategies for different
crops when grown in a given soil series (continuation).

Soil Management Recommendations

Limitation
Soil Series
for crop production Tree/Forest/
Rice Diversified crops Root crops
Plantation crops
Shallow effective soil depth Construction of Contour farming; Not suited to root Suited for fruit trees,
limiting productivity of shal- bunds; applica- shallow cultivation; crops due to shal- forest, and other hard-
2-
low-rooted crops; rock out- tion of ZnSO4 in fertilization low rooting and wood trees e.g. citrus,

31 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

crops are present; hilly to- lowland rice if presence of out- mango, ipil, molave,
Faraon
pography; plants may suffer deficiency occurs crops coconut, etc.
Fe and Zn deficiency due to
high pH; K deficiency; grow-
ing period is possible only
during rainy season unless Cropping pattern: lowland rice - lowland rice; diversified crops/ vegetables
irrigated
Highly leaches; very acidic; Liming upland Contour farming; Best suited to root Planting of permanent
Fe or Al toxicity; low K, Ca, rice; adequate P strip cropping and crops; OM crops and trees to re-
Mg; low nutrient retention; and K fertilization cover-cropping; incorporation to store soil fertility
Luisiana run-off; hilly topography adequate fertiliza- improve fertility
tion

Cropping pattern: upland rice- diversified crops/ root crops; fruit trees/ forest
 Table 3. Limitations to crop production and recommended management strategies for different
crops when grown in a given soil series (continuation).

Soil Management Recommendations

Limitation
Soil Series
for crop production Tree/Forest/
Rice Diversified crops Root crops
Plantation crops
Difficult to cultivate Practice shallow Adequate fertilization Establish ade- Proper timing of planting
when wet and hard cultivation when and organic matter quate drainage
when dry; poor drain- soil moisture is at application; provide and irrigation sys-
Maligaya age; very slow air and optimum; ade- adequate drainage tems; adequate
water infiltration quate irrigation systems; use broad- fertilization; proper
beds, ridges, and timing of cultiva-
mulching tion and planting
Cropping pattern: lowland rice-lowland rice; rice-diversified crops/ vegetables
Presence of rock out- Adequate fertiliza- Adequate fertilization Adequate fertiliza- Suited in higher hills and
crops; shallow depth; tion; liming upland with liming; organic tion with liming; mountains
hilly topography; exces- rice; terracing; matter incorporation; organic matter
sive drainage; low fertili- adequate irrigation mulching; intercrop- incorporation;
ty ping/ multiple crop- contour farming
Sapian ping; contour farming

Capiz
Cropping pattern: upland rice - diversified crops/ fruit trees

32
 Table 3. Limitations to crop production and recommended management strategies for different
crops when grown in a given soil series (continuation).
Soil Management Recommendations
Limitation
Soil Series Tree/Forest/
for crop production Rice Diversified crops Root crops
Plantation crops
Soil becomes hard upon Liming in upland rice; Liming; land prepara- Not suited to root Plant acid-tolerant
drying creating wide application of organic tion with adequate crops due to heavy crops, e.g. legumes/
cracks at the surface; manures to improve moisture; subsoiling texture of the soil coconut
difficult to till; acidic; lack soil tilth; adequate

33 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

of irrigation water; Fe fertilization; irrigation
Sara toxicity systems with adequate
drainage; alternate
wetting and drying;
responds well to N & P
fertilization
Cropping pattern: rice-rice; rice-diversified crops/ vegetable
Fe or Al toxicity; acidic; Adequate fertilization, Liming; adequate Suited to root Best suited to forest
very low fertility; hilly phosphate fertilization; fertilization; organic crops trees
topography; high run-off; liming in upland rice; matter incorporation;
K-deficient, high terracing/ contour mulching; intercrop-
San Rafael erodibility farming ping/ multiple crop-
ping; contour farming
Cropping pattern: upland rice- root crops/ diversified crops; fruit trees/ forest
 Table 3. Limitations to crop production and recommended management strategies for different
crops when grown in a given soil series (continuation).

Soil Management Recommendations

Limitation
Soil Series
for crop production Tree/Forest/
Rice Diversified crops Root crops
Plantation crops

Annual flooding for short Suited for paddy rice Adequate flood control Adequate drainage, Adequate drain-
periods and excessive during wet season and systems, use broad- irrigation, and flood- age and flood
drought during dry with adequate irrigation beds and ridges control systems, control systems,
months during dry season; re- regular addition of cover cropping,
San Manuel spond well to N fertiliza- organic matter proper fertilization,
tion timing of planting

Cropping pattern: lowland rice-lowland rice/ diversified crops/ vegetables/ root crops
Soil becomes hard upon Best suited for lowland Organic matter incor- Not suited to root- Plant locally
drying causing surface rice; adequate and bal- poration; cover crops; crops due to heavy adapted varieties
cracking and difficulty in anced fertilization; mulching; construction texture of the soil
tillage; K and ammoni- phosphate fertilization; of broadbeds, ridges,
Sta. Rita um (NH4+) fixation; poor adequate drainage sys- and furrows
drainage causing Zn tem; Zn fertilization
deficiency and slow when deficient

Capiz
mineralization of N Cropping pattern: rice-diversified crops; corn/ sugarcane-corn/sugarcane; rice- corn/
mungo/ legumes

34
 Appendices

35 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

APPENDIX 1. STEPS TO IDENTIFY SOIL SERIES

1 Soil sampling

Choose a vacant area in

your field. Using a spade
or soil auger to dig up to
50 centimeters from the
soil surface.

The depth of the soil is

important. The soil surface
is not a good source of the
samples since it is always
disturbed and cultivated.

Get a bulk of soil (0.5

kilogram) from 30 to 50
centimeter-depth and
place it in a container.
This sample will be used
in soil series identifica-
tion.

Capiz 36
 2 Color determination

Soil color is an indirect measure

of other characteristics such as
drainage, aeration, and organic
matter content. Black-colored
soils may indicate high fertility
and productivity. Gray indicates
a fairly constant water-
saturated condition. Bright
brown and red colors are indic-
ative of good aeration and
drainage.

Get an ample amount of soil

from the sample. Note that the
soil surface should be freshly
exposed and not pressed. Rec-
ord the moisture condition (dry,
wet, or moist). If dry, have a
moist color determination by
adding ample amount of water
to the soil sample.

Compare the color of the soil

sample with the soil color group
found in the guidebook. Take
note of the classification of the
color.

37 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 3 Texture determination

Take a half handful of the same soil sample.

Add water (not too wet). Soil is at proper Add dry soil
consistency when moldable, like moist putty. to absorb water.

Y
Does soil remain N N
in a ball when Is soil too dry? Is soil too wet? Sand
squeezed?

Place ball of soil between thumb and forefinger, gently pushing the
soil with the thumb, squeezing it upward into a ribbon. Form a ribbon
of uniform thickness and width. Allow the ribbon to emerge and
extend over the forefinger, breaking under its own weight.

N
Does soil form a ribbon? Loamy
sand
Y

N Does soil make a N Does soil make a

Does soil make a weak medium ribbon 1 to strong ribbon 2
ribbon less than 1 inch 2 inches long before inches or longer
long before breaking? breaking? before breaking?

Y Y Y

Excessively wet a small pinch of soil in palm of hand and rub with forefinger.

Does soil feel Y Sandy Does soil feel Y Sandy Does soil feel Y Sandy
clay
very gritty? loam very gritty? very gritty? clay
loam

N N N

Does soil feel Y Silt Does soil feel Y Silty Does soil feel Y
Silty
very smooth? very smooth? clay very smooth?
loam clay
loam
N N N
Neither Neither Neither
grittiness nor Y grittiness nor Y Clay grittiness nor Y
Loam Clay
smoothness smoothness loam smoothness
predominates predominates predominates

Capiz 38
 4 pH determination (UPLB) procedure

Get soil sample from

30 to 50 centimeter -
depth. Fill the test tube
with soil sample up to
the scratch mark.

Add seven drops of

CPR (chloropenol
red). Mix by gently
swirling the test tube.

If pH is six or greater,
repeat the steps using
BTB (bromthymol
blue).

If soil pH is five or
less, repeat the steps
using BCG
(bromcresol green).

Match the color of the

solution on top of the
soil with the corre-
sponding color chart of
the pH indicator dye
used.

39 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

 APPENDIX 2. THE PALAYCHECK® SYSTEM

The PalayCheck® System is a rice integrated crop

management that combines the tech-
nologies and learning processes to
identify strengths and weaknesses of
current crop management practices,
make improvements in the next sea-
son to increase grain yield, input-use
efficiency, and profit with environmental concerns.

The Palaycheck® System describes the crop manage-

ment practices (input) to achieve the following Key
Checks (output):

1) Used high-quality seeds

of a recommended
variety.

2) No high and low soil

spots after final level-
ing.

3) Practiced synchronous
planting after a fallow
period.

Capiz 40
 4) Sufficient number of
healthy seedlings.

5) Sufficient nutrients at
tillering to early panicle
initiation and flowering.

6) Avoided excessive wa-

ter or drought stress
that could affect the
growth and the yield of
the crop.

7) No significant yield loss

due to pests.

8) Cut and threshed the

crop at the right time.

41 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

Glossary
Base saturation – the amount of positively charged ions (Ca, Mg, K, and
Na), excluding hydrogen and aluminum ions, that are ab-
sorbed on the surface of soil particles, and measured and
reported as a percentage.
Boulder – rocks with grain size of usually no less than 256 mm
(10 inches) diameter.
Clay skins – clay coatings on ped or pore surfaces.
Coarse fragments – significant proportions of fragments coarser than
very coarse sand and less than 10 inches, if rounded, or 15
inches along the longer axis, if flat. It influences the nutrient
status, water movement, use and management of the soil. It
also reflects the origin and stage of development of the soil.
Cobblestone – naturally rounded stones larger than a pebble and small-
er than a boulder.
Concretions – cemented bodies similar to nodules, except for the pres-
ence of visible, concentric layers of material around a point,
line, or plane.
Cutans – modification of the soil texture, or soil structure, at natural
surfaces (particle, pore, or ped) in soil materials due
to illuviation. Cutans are oriented deposits which can be
composed of any of the component substances of the soil
material.
Gravels – composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a
general particle size range and include size classes from
granule- to boulder-sized fragments.
Inherent fertility – the natural ability of the soil to supply plant nutrients.
Mottles– appearance of uneven spots with spherical or irregular shape.
The color differs from the soil matrix color.
Nodules – cemented bodies of various shapes that can be removed as
discrete units from soil.
Nutrient retention – referred to as Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) or
the maximum quantity of total cations, of any class, that
a soil is capable of holding, at a given pH value, available
for exchange with the soil solution.
Pebble – small usually rounded stones especially when worn by the
action of water.
Permeability – property of the soil to transmit water and air. It affects
irrigation, and leaching of salts and fertilizers.
Quartz – a mineral consisting of silicon dioxide occurring in colorless
and transparent or colored hexagonal crystals or in crystalline
masses.
Relief – refers to the elevation or inequality of the land surface consid-
ered collectively.
Rock – naturally occurring solid aggregates of one or
more minerals or mineraloids.
Rooting depth – the ability of plant’s roots to penetrate through the soil.
It can be limited by soil compaction, absence of nutrients,
waterlogged layer or cemented layers.

Capiz 42
Salinity – the saltiness or dissolved salt content (such as sodium chlo-
ride, magnesium and calcium sulfates, and bicarbonates) in soil.
Slickenside – polished and grooved surface produced by one mass
sliding past another.
Soil compaction – described according to its nature, continuity, struc-
ture, agent, and degree. Compacted material has a firm or
stronger consistence when moist and a close packing of parti-
cles.
Soil drainage –refers to the frequency and duration of periods of satura-
tion in the soil.
Soil family – a group of soils within a subgroup having similar physical
and chemical properties that affect their responses to manage-
ment and manipulation for use.
Soil pH –measure of acidity and basicity of soils. It affects availability or
release of soil nutrients.
Soil profile – includes the collection of all the genetic horizons, the natu-
ral organic layers on the surface, and the parent material or
other layers beneath the solum that influence the genesis and
behavior of the soil.
Soil series – a group of soils with similar profiles developed from similar
parent materials under comparable climatic and vegetational
conditions.
Soil taxonomy – hierarchies of classes that permits one to understand
the relationships between soils and also between soils and the
factors responsible for their character. A systematic distinguish-
ing, ordering, and naming of type groups within a subject field.
Soil texture- refers to the relative proportions of the various size groups
of individual soil grains in a mass of soil. Specifically, it refers to
the proportions of clay, silt, and sand below 2 millimeters in
diameter.
Soil type – the lowest category in classification systems. It is distin-
guished within series on the basis of texture, a single character-
istic.
Soil water retention – the ability of soil to retain water to provide an
ongoing supply of water to plants between periods of replenish-
ment (infiltration) to allow their continued growth and survival.
Stoniness – the relative proportion of stones over 10 inches in diameter
or on the soil.
Surface cracking – develops in shrink–swell clay-rich soils after they dry
out. The width (average, or average width and maximum width)
of the cracks at the surface is indicated in centimeters. The
average distance between cracks may also be indicated in cen-
timeters.
Tuff – a rock composed of the finer kinds of volcanic detritus usually
fused together by heat.
Workability/tilth – the ease of cultivating the soil with regards to its struc-
ture, texture, presence of coarse fragments, and relief.

43 SIMPLIFIED KEYS TO SOIL SERIES

References

Badayos, R.B. 1990. Lowland rice soils in the Philippines, their

characteristics and classification in relation to
productivity. Inaugural Professorial Lecture. SEARCA,
UPLB.

Beinroth, F.H. 1978. Some fundamentals of soil classification. In:

Soil-resource data for agricultural development. Ed.
Leslie D. Swindale. Hawaii Ag. Expt. Sra., College of
Trop. Agric., University of Hawaii. p. 12-19.

Hampstead, M.I., TJ Sauer, and WF Bennet. 1997. Soil Science

Simplified. 3rd Edition. Iowa State University Press,
Ames Iowa 500014.

“Simplified Keys to Soil Series (29 Soil Series for Maize

Production), Lop Buri Province” The International
Training Workshop on “Applying Information Technology
for Site-Specific Agriculture in Small Farms of Tropics.”
August 4-10, 2003. Bangkok, Thailand.

Soil Survey of Capiz Province. Department of Agriculture and

Natural Resources, Bureau of Soils, Manila, Philippines.
Bureau of Printing Manila.

Soil Survey Manual. US Department of Agricultural Handbook

No. 18. August 1951. Soil Survey Staff, Bureau of Plant
and Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering.
Agricultural Research Administration, US Department of
Agriculture.

Keys to Soil Taxonomy. US Department of Agriculture 10 th

Edition. 2006. Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resource
Conservation Service, US Department of Agriculture.

Soil Taxonomy: A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making

and Interpreting Soil Surveys. Soil Survey Staff, Soil
Conservation Service, US Department of Agriculture.

Sys, I.C., et al. Land Evaluation Part III: Crop Requirements.

Agricultural Publications. N°7, 1993.

Capiz 44
We thank the Bureau of Soils and Water Manage-
ment (BSWM) for the secondary data of the soils
used in this guidebook.

For more information

write, visit, or call:
Agronomy, Soils, and Plant Physiology Division or
Information Systems Division
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
Tel. No. (044) 456-0285; -0113; -0651 local 217,
215, 212, 233
or text:
The PhilRice Text Center - (0920) 911-1398

For published material:

contact:
Development Communication Division or
Business Development Division
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3119
Tel. No. (044) 456-0285; -0113; -0651 local 511,
509, 520

Readers are encouraged to quote the content of this

guidebook with acknowledgement. Suggested citation:

PhilRice, “Simplified Keys to Soil Series of Capiz”.

Soil Series Guidebook ISBN 978-971-9081-85-2 :44p.,
August 2013.
ISBN 978-971-9081-85-2