Present Soil Chemical Status and Constraints for Rice-Based Cropping Systems in Vientiane Plain and Neighboring Areas, Lao PDR

TL;DRAbstract

Soil chemistry and nutrient status of soil were surveyed in an attempt to improve the productivity of rainfed lowlands—which would include crop diversification and improved rice yields—in the semi-mountainous areas near Nameuang village (NV) and in the Vientiane plain (VP), Lao PDR. The soil survey revealed soil acidity, deficiency in exchangeable Ca and Mg and in available P despite the its being in a calcareous zone. The nitrogen; phosphorus and potassium fertilities in NV were not notably unique to those in the neighboring districts. In addition, it became apparent that in NV there was a risk of aluminum toxicity. In order to determine appropriate soil management, the effects of liming on non-rice crops and on rice plants were studied in pot experiments using soils collected from NV. Liming was usually effective for enhancing the growth of the tested non-rice crops. Under submerged conditions, soil pH increased naturally despite the strong pre-flooding acidity. Although liming plus

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