Land use suitability for sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivation in Tumupasa, municipality of San Buenaventura - La Paz

Roberto Miranda C., Romulo Marza M., Jose Luis Calle P., Carlos Choque T., Magaly Mendoza A., David Cruz Ch., Juan José Aparicio P.

Abstract

Land evaluation is the process of determining and predicting the behavior of a portion of land used for specific purposes, considering physical, economic and social aspects. It is also a tool for decision making and sustainable management of the soil resource, based on its productive capacity. The objective of this research work was to determine the suitability of soil use, based on the edaphic-climatic limitations and potentialities for the cultivation of sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum). The project area was the Tumupasa region, in the municipality of San Buenaventura, second section of the Abel Iturralde province in the north of the department of La Paz. The first phase involved a) socialization and prospection of the study area, b) sample collection from different communities of Tumupasa, c) physical and chemical analysis of the samples in the laboratory, d) design and interpretation of the results on maps, and e) socialization of the results with local authorities and social organizations. To determine the suitability of soil use, the methodology proposed by FAO (1976) was used, a scheme for land evaluation, which compares the qualities and requirements of the crop. According to the data obtained, the zone has areas that are unsuitable, marginally and moderately suitable and, to a lesser extent, suitable for cultivation. The nutritional and morphological limitations are the content of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, acidity, depth of the arable layer and the risk of flooding. The application of amendments and/or fertilizers includes costs that determine the cost of production and, on the other hand, inadequate management could cause effects on soil quality and the ecosystem.