Characterization and evaluation of agricultural benchmark soils from Sevilla, Spain

Abstract

In Sevilla Province, southwestern Spain, benchmark soils of eight agricultural areas were defined using traditional soil pedon concepts of soil survey. The characterization emphasized morphological, chemical, and physical analyses. These eight representative soils were classified as follows: Rojo Aljarafe (Typic Rhodoxeralf), Tierranegra Campo (Typic Pelloxerert), Salino Marismas (Vertic Fluvaquent), Franco Vega (Typic Xerofluvent), Arena Terrazas (Aquic Haploxeralf), Almagra Alcores (Calcic Haploxeralf), Bujeo Campiña (Typic Chromoxerert), and Albariza Estepa (Entic Haploxeroll). By application of a computer-based soil evaluation system developed with information from a representative zone, predicted yields were calculated for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), field corn (Zea mays L.), and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for the selected benchmark soils. Productivity information was transferred from the representative zone to the eight agricultural areas within Sevilla Province. Soils were ranked in the following order according to predicted yields for the three crops: Bujeo Campiña > Tierranegra Campo > Franco Vega > Salino Marismas > Rojo Aljarafe > Almagra Alcores > Albariza Estepa > Arena Terrazas.