Effects of agricultural farming models on the content of soil organic matter and total nitrogen in the Dai mountains of An Giang province

Abstract

Conversed land-use by different farming patterns on sloping land can reduce a large amount of nutrients, especially soil organic matter and nitrogen content. Therefore, this study evaluated the influence of agricultural farming models on soil organic matter and nitrogen content in Dai mountain area, An Giang province. Soil samples were collected at 3 farming models these converted from natural forest land to forest gardens, forest plantations and intensive orchards at two depths (from 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 50 cm). Soil samples were analyzed for chemical parameters including pH, EC, organic matter and total nitrogen content. Research results showed that the organic matter content on forest garden soil reached the lowest (3.1%) compared to intercropped forest (4.3%) in both 0-20 and 20-50 layers. Total nitrogen content in intensive orchard soil was lower (0.1%) than in planted forest land (0.2%) at a depth of 0-50 cm. Thus, there should be intercropping with forest gardens or maintaining natural forest land to protect soil quality on sloping or hilly land.