Analysis of problems in certain soils of the Kyushu Okinawa region for suitable management

ABSTRACT

Soils in the Kyushu Okinawa region with problematic properties for agriculture were studied and the following findings were obtained. 1) Mahji-soils in Nansei Islands became very hard with desiccation under high-pH conditions; therefore, soil treatments that cause alkalinization such as overliming should be avoided. 2) In contrast to the generally favorable effects of organic matter on the physical properties of soil, the application of manure compost at 100 Mg ha^?1 to Mahji-soils increased the degree of hardening with desiccation. 3) Application of clinker ash (coarse fraction of coal ash) at 10% (wt/wt) mitigated the hardening and shrinkage of Jagaru, a heavy-textured gray soil found on Nansei Island. 4) Non-allophanic surface horizons with strong acidity were widely distributed in the Andosol area of central Kyushu, covering at least 340 km². These horizons showed a relatively large ratio of carbon per Al_p (pyrophosphate extractable aluminum) and high content of allophane, and began forming around 2500 years ago. 5)Some Andosols in Kyushu showed remarkable hardness. They are divided into two types, according to the degree of weathering and hardening characteristics, and the different measures required to improve each type. 6) An experimental method for determining nitrate retention by soils was developed, and factors influencing the nitrate retention of Andosols were elucidated using this method. 7) A method for micromorphological observation of pelletized manure compost (PC) grains was developed. This method revealed that the internal microstructure of PC did not change in 18 months after compost application, whereas the volume of the grains decreased with the formation of voids around them. 8) As an indicator of soil acidity concerning the countermeasure for common scab, pH(KCl) can easily be used instead of exchangeable acidity y_1, which is laborious to determine. The maximally simplified pH(KCl) measurement method can be carried out by farmers in the field.