FAO SOILS BULLETIN 59
by
J. P. Andriesse
Consultant
Soil Resources, Management and Conservation Service
FAO Land and Water Development Division
FAO - FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED
NATIONS
Rome, 1988
Cover photo: Initial clearing for drainage of bush vegetation on deep peat in Brazil (photo: J.P. Andriesse)
|
The designations employed and the presentation of material in
this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the
part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning
the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities,
or concerning the delimitation of Its frontiers or boundaries. |
M-51
ISBN 92-5-102657-2
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© FAO 1988
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2. DISTRIBUTION OF TROPICAL PEAT
2.1 Extent
2.2 The Main Occurrences
2.3 Application of Research
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Environmental Factors
4. THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL PEATS
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Physical Properties of Organic Materials4.2.1 General
4.2.2 Moisture relationships
4.2.3 Bulk density
4.2.4 Porosity
4.2.5 Texture and loss on ignition
4.2.6 Swelling and shrinking
4.2.7 Irreversible drying
4.2.8 Physico-chemical properties4.3 Chemical Properties of Peat Materials
4.3.1 Introduction
4.3.2 Composition
4.3.3 Acidity
4.3.4 Exchange characteristics
4.3.5 Organic carbon
4.3.6 Nitrogen
4.3.7 Phosphorus
4.3.8 Free lime (CaCO3)
4.3.9 Sulphur
4.3.10 Trace elements4.4 Biological Activity
4.5 Characteristics of the Peatswamps
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Historical
5.3 Classification Systems5.3.1 Introduction
5.3.2 Topographical classification
5.3.3 Classifications based on surface vegetation
5.3.4 Classifications based on chemical properties
5.3.5 Classifications based on botanical origin
5.3.6 Classifications based on physical characteristics
5.3.7 Classifications based on genetic processes5.4 Conclusions
5.5 Recommended Approach
5.6 Classification of Organic Soils According to Soil Taxonomy5.6.1 Introduction
5.6.2 Fibrists
5.6.3 Hemists
5.6.4 Saprists
5.6.5 Folists
5.6.6 Further development of soil taxonomy for the Tropics
6.1 Introduction
6.2 General Suitability for Cropping
6.3 Land Capability and Crop Suitability Evaluation
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Initial Problems in Peat Reclamation7.2.1 Initial drainage
7.2.2 Clearing
7.2.3 Burning
7.2.4 Organization7.3 Permanent Constraints in Peat Reclamation
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Crop Choice8.2.1 Choice of crop under natural drainage conditions
8.2.2 Choice of crops under improved drainage with water-table at less than 40 cm depth
8.2.3 Choice of crops assuming deep drainage8.3 Water Management at Farm Level
8.3.1 Systems of open drains
8.3.2 Subsurface drains
8.3.3 Irrigation8.4 Tillage and Cultivation Methods
8.5 Correcting Acidity by Liming8.6.1 Introduction
8.6.2 Burning
8.6.3 Basic principles
8.6.4 Nitrogen requirements
8.6.5 Phosphorus requirements
8.6.6 Potassium requirements
8.6.7 Calcium and magnesium requirements
8.6.8 Micro-nutrients or trace element requirements
8.6.9 Conclusions
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Peat as an Energy Source9.2.1 Decomposition stage
9.2.2 Carbon and hydrogen content
9.2.3 Ash content
9.2.4 Types of fuel peat
9.2.5 Fuel properties
9.2.6 Minor factors9.4.1 Introduction
9.4.2 Clearing
9.4.3 Ditching
9.4.4 Clearing of stumps
9.4.5 Methods of production and layout9.5 Peat Extraction and Land Use Planning
9.5.1 Rapid disposal
9.5.2 Slow disposal
9.5.3 Effect of peatland distribution
9.5.4 Reclamation of freshly exploited peat deposits
10. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF RECLAMATION
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Natural Functions of Peatswamps10.2.1 Regulating functions
10.2.2 Production function
10.2.3 Information function
10.2.4 Miscellaneous functions
APPENDIX 1 - Tests of Organic Soil Materials
APPENDIX 2 - Volumetric Relations in Soil Materials
APPENDIX 3 - Soil and Other Physical Limits for Satisfactory Crop Growth on Organic Soils