Determinación del índice de calidad de suelo a dos altitudes en dos sistemas de labranza para el cultivo de quinua (Chenopodium quinoa w.) en Tunshi

Abstract

The Tunshi experimental station does not have information on soil quality for quinoa cultivation, so it is necessary to investigate the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, determining the soil quality index for this crop. The aim of the research was to determine the soil quality index at two altitudes in two tillage systems for the cultivation of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa W.). It was carried out in the province of Chimborazo, Riobamba canton, Licto parish, being the study factors altitude and tillage system; the design was a completely randomized block design in a divided plot arrangement with 4 replications, the USDA methodology was applied to determine soil properties, Geographic Information Technologies (GIT) and Cantú's methodology for soil quality were used. The soil presents sandy loam texture, humidity 10.48%, depth of arable layer 49.88 cm, infiltration rate 11.19 mm/h, real density 2.53 gr/cm3, apparent density 1.35 gr/cm3, % porosity 52.91, electrical conductivity 256.76 uS/cm, pH 7. 38, % organic matter 1.73, nitrogen 4.72 mg/L, phosphorus 28.97 mg/L, potassium 2.08 Meq/100g, calcium 7.46 Meq/100g, magnesium 0.14 Meq/100g, C/N ratio 1.26, Ca/Mg 52.39, K/Mg 52.39 and 3 earthworms present in the soil. With these properties, a quality index of 0.56 was determined, and a georeferenced base map is available. It is concluded that the minimum tillage system helps in the conservation of soil properties, according to the quality index this belongs to the moderate category.