Crop growth on volcanic mudflow.
1991
Coronel V.P. | Reyes R. | Vergara B.S. | de Dote P.
Volcanic mudflow or lahar has inundated thousands of hectares of agricultural areas in Zambales, Pampanga and Tarlac [Philippines]. Impelled by the monsoon rains, lahar deposits of over 2 meters thick have changed the topography and rendered irrigation systems inoperable. Growth of agricultural crops on lahar has become a critical question. A field study on crop growth on lahar was conducted in the wet season of 1991. The lahar in Bacolor, Pampanga is acidic with a pH of 4.3 and consists mainly of sand (79 percent) and only 3 percent clay. Twenty-nine different cultivars of corn, okra, cowpea, mungbean, sweet potato, cassava, kangkong and legumes for green manure were sown or planted in 10-meter plots. Seed germination ranged from 50 to 90 percent. After 2 weeks, chlorosis was apparent in corn, cowpea, and mungbean. Sweet potato and kangkong showed vigorous growth. The preliminary study indicates that common crops can germinate and thrive on lahar. However, the crops may require intensive nutrient management due to the low nutrient holding capacity of the sandy soil. Kangkong and root crops can be productive for several weeks after planting in lahar without added fertilizer.
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