PEDOGENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF SOILS DEDICATED TO ORGANIC COCOA CULTIVATION, ALMIRANTE - BOCAS DEL TORO

Abstract

In order to characterize the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils cultivated with cocoa plantations, soil profiles were described in seven farms of producers located in Almirante, Bocas del Toro, in 2016. According to the Soil Taxonomy classification system, prevailed the order inceptisol and under the World Reference Base (WRB) prevailed the order cambisol. Trees of different forest species were found through the landscape study, with flat to wavy reliefs. In all the profiles studied, the soils presented an isohyperthermic temperature regime, with udic moisture regimes and precipitation around 3300 mm^.year^-1. Chemically, they presented a nutritional imbalance with deficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; and high calcium and magnesium content. On the other hand, it was determined that the sum of the bases is less than 50% characteristic of the subgroup of the districo soils. Minor elements such as copper, iron, zinc, and manganese maintained low values ​​in all profiles. Physically, predominant textures were sandy franc, sandy loam and sandy loam clay. They have slow, moderate and some rapid infiltrations profiles. Average values for bulk density resulted ​about 1,0 kg^.dm^-3. Biologically, the organic matter was low with average of 0,95%. The horizons described as organic, showed high values ​​of soil respiration. According to the observed basic infiltration values, it was concluded that in places where the infiltration was slow, its structure must be improved by applying adequate amounts of organic matter, in order not to fall into accelerated compaction; and increase potassium levels by an adequate balance in the soil.