Shallow soil and laterite soil is the soil where pebble layers, stone layers and laterite layers are found 50 cm. from the soil surface.



       How to observe shallow soil and laterite soil area
       1. Dig the soil 50 cm. and find stone pieces and pebble pieces more than 35% of soil texture.
       2. Top soil is sandy loamy soil with stone pieces or pebble pieces.
       3. Below soil is sandy loamy soil with sandy clay. Find pebble pieces and stone pieces more than 50% of soil texture.
        Area where shallow soil and laterite soil are found
       Such soil are found almost every parts of Thailand expect rainy zone in the South. The total area is 6.6 million rai. Soil series which shallow soil and laterite are found are Tayang series, Maerim series, Payao series, Namchun series and Na Chaleang series.

       Problem of land utilization for agriculture
       Since the soil consists of much pebble pieces and stone pieces, an amount of soil texture is decreased. It is not good at holding water and it is hard for ploughing. Soil surface is easy to be leached and soil fertility is less. Because of area condition, it is hard to build irrigation system.
       Reclamation and management of shallow soil and laterite soil
       Plant fast-growing plant or tree in the area where its slope is more than 12%. Varieties of plant suitable are eucalyptus, bamboo, nim, rain tree, Leguminosae, genus Cassia. The planting area is 1x1 m., 1x2 m. or 2x2 m. Plant in a hole which its size is 20x20x20 cm. Add compost 2-5 kg. with chemical fertilizer (15-15-15) 100-200 g. at the bottom of the hole.
       Planting grassland for rearing animals. Plant grass and bean together for example, Ruzi mixed with Verano, Ruzi mixed with Ziratro or Ginny mixed with Zirato. Before planting, add Double Superphosphate 20 kg./rai and Potassiumcloride 10 kg./rai. Planting grass and bean by scattering Ruzi seeds 1-2 kg./rai and Ziratro seeds 2-3 kg./rai.

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