Abstract

GOMEZ-GONZALEZ, Raúl; PALMA-LOPEZ, David Jesús; OBRADOR-OLAN, José Jesús  and  RUIZ-ROSADO, Octavio. Root density and soil types in which coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is produced in Chiapas, Mexico. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2018, vol.5, n.14, pp.203-215. ISSN 2007-901X.  https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a5nl4.1278.

In order to determine fine root length density (RLD) in a Catimor variety coffee plantation in the Custepec area of Concordia, Chiapas, soils were characterized according to slope by three profiles in different physiographic slope positions. The soils were classified and characterized with the World Reference Base for Soil Resource and NOM-021-RECNAT 2000. The vertical and horizontal RLD was determined by randomly selecting three plants for each physiographic position, which were distributed under a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement with three levels: slope position (high, medium and low), two distances to the trunk (50 and 100 cm) and three depths (0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm). In the high, medium and low position of the slope, the soils were classified as Haplic Lixisol (Clayic, Cutanic, Hypereutric), Eutric Sideralic Cambisol (Clayic, Humic) and Haplic Luvisol (Loamic, Cutanic, Hypereutric, Humic), respectively. The soil characteristics in the three positions differ due to erosion, base leaching, argilization and weathering of the clay. The horizontal RLD at the two distances evaluated behaves in a homogeneous way; in each site and each type of soil, the RLD was similar; significant differences were only shown vertically between sites and soil types. The highest concentration of roots, 89.95%, was found with a RLD of 6.97 km m-3 in the first 20 cm of depth.

Keywords : Cambisol; Lixisol; Luvisol; sustainable management.