Simplified Keys To Soil Series Nueva Ecija

SIMPLIFIED
Keys to
SOIL SERIES
NUEVA ECIJA
Nueva Ecija iii

This project was funded by the Knowledge
Management and Promotion Program (KMP)
and Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture
(OpAPA) of PhilRice®.
Philippine Rice Research Institute

Copyright © 2008
iv Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

Table of Contents

Foreword................................................. vii
The Simplified Keys to Soil Series.......... 1
Guide to Soil Series Identification........... 2
Soil Color Groups.................................... 5
Gray/Yellowish Gray......................... 6
Dark Grayish Brown......................... 9
Dark Yellowish Brown...................... 12
Soil Profile Pictures................................. 17
Soil Properties that affect crop growth.... 22
Soil Productivity....................................... 25
Crop Suitability Analysis.......................... 27
Soil Management Recommendations..... 31
Soil Taxonomic Classification.................. 41
Appendices..............................................49
Steps in Identifying Soil Series......... 50
Soil Sampling............................. 50
Color Determination................... 51
Texture Determination................ 52
pH Determination....................... 53
The PalayCheck System.................. 54
References.............................................. 56
Nueva Ecija v
vi Simplified Keys TO Soil Series
Foreword
This guidebook on “Simplified Keys to Soil

Series Identification” was developed to
make the field identification of soils easier.
Soil identification is an important

component in rice farming. When the
soil is properly analyzed and identified,
the risks of incompatible management
recommendations will be lessened and
selection of knowledge and technologies to
apply will be efficient. And that is why we
have this Simplified Keys to Soil Series for
Nueva Ecija.
This is a good guide for effective nutrient

management, which is one of the
components of the PalayCheck System, a
dynamic rice crop management system that
presents easy-to-follow practices to achieve
respective Key Checks and improve crop
yield and input use efficiency.
The guidebook features the different

color, texture, pH, coarse fragments, and
mottles of the most common soils in Nueva
Ecija and contains four simple steps in
identifying the soil series right in the field.
We also included the soil productivity
index, soil properties that affect crop
growth, soil taxonomic classification, crop
suitability analysis, and soil management
recommendations.
Nueva Ecija vii

The concept of simplified keys to soil series
was first used in Thailand. In the Philippines,
the project “Simplification of the Philippine
Soil Series for Rice and Corn” started in 2005
under the Nutrient Management Support
System (NuMaSS) to provide management
recommendations for soils identified in the
field.
We thank the farmers, agricultural

technologists, and municipal and provincial
agricultural officers for helping us validate
the soil series, and for their comments and
suggestions during the pre-evaluation of this
guidebook. We also acknowledge the Bureau
of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) for
providing the secondary data of the soils.
We hope that this publication can help you

identify suitable crops in your area, learn the
limitations of your soils for crop production,
and subsequently know the corresponding
management recommendations.
LEOCADIO S. SEBASTIAN
PhilRice Executive Director
viii Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

The Simplified Keys
to Soil Series
“Simplified Keys to Soil Series” is a tool/guide

in identifying soil series in the field following
simple steps, for the use of researchers,
agricultural technologists, extension workers,
farmers, and other stakeholders of the rice
industry. Using this guidebook, identification
of soils will be more accurate, thus, reducing
the risks of incompatible management and
technology recommendations. Transfer of
technology will also be made more easy and
efficient.
This guidebook is easy-to-use. It involves

only five basic soil properties (color, texture,
pH, coarse fragments, and mottles) at 30-
50cm soil depth and four simple steps in
identifying the soil series right in the field.
Once the soil is identified, suitable crops can
be selected, and crop productivity ratings,
soil properties that limit production, and
soil management recommendations can be
determined. Since same soil series behave
similarly, the soil management technology in
one area can be applied in other areas with
the same soil identity.
Ten soil series found in Nueva Ecija (Annam,

Bantog, Maligaya, Prensa, Quingua, San
Fabian, San Manuel, Sibul, Umingan, and
Zaragosa) are included in this guidebook.
Nueva Ecija 1
Guide to Soil Series Identification
1. Choose a vacant area

in your field and dig up
to 50 cm depth from the
surface (see page 50).
2. Get bulk soil

sample (500 g)
from between 30
cm and 50 cm
depth.
3. Compare the soil

sample with the color
chart in the guidebook
(see page 51).
2 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

4. Take a half handful of the
same soil and check its
texture by wetting the soil
sample (neither too wet,
nor too dry) (see page 52).
5. Take one spoonful of the

same soil sample and put
it in a test tube. Add 7
drops of reagent; shake
gently, and compare
with pH chart (see page
53).
6. Take note of the presence or absence of coarse

fragments such as limestone, rock fragments,
lateritic nodules, manganese/Mn (black) and iron/
Fe (red) concretions, sand materials, and other
observable properties of the soil taken from soil
surface up to 50 cm depth.
Lateritic nodules
Manganese concretions Quartz
Nueva Ecija 3
7. Take note also of other
observable soil properties
such as polished surface
(cutans/slickensides),
softness, hardness,
stickiness, etc.
slickensides /
polished soil surfaces
8. Use the Simplified Keys

to Soil Series Book and
compare all soil properties
starting from the color until
the soil name is identified.

Soil
Color Groups
Gray/Yellowish Gray (go to page 6)
Dark Grayish Brown (go to page 9)
Dark Yellowish Brown (go to page 12)
Nueva Ecija 5
Gray/Yellowish Gray
Texture
Clay page 7
Clay Loam page 8

Gray/Yellowish Gray
Texture: Clay
Maligaya (Mlg)
Coarse Fragments none
pH 6.8-7.2
Fe (brown) and Mn
Others (black) concretions;
slickensides
go to page 18
Zaragosa (Zg)
pH 6.8-7.4
Fe (dark greenish
Others gray) and Mn (black)
concretions
go to page 18
Nueva Ecija 7
Gray/Yellowish Gray
Texture: Clay Loam
Prensa (Pr)
Coarse Fragments gravels
pH 6.5-7.2
Fe (yellowish brown)
Others and Mn (black) mottles;
slickensides
go to page 18

Dark Grayish Brown
Texture
Clay Loam page 10
Clay page 11
Nueva Ecija 9
Dark Grayish Brown
Texture: Clay Loam
San Manuel (Snm)
pH 6.7-7.4
mottles (red spots);

Others cutans (clay skins)
go to page 19

Dark Grayish Brown
Texture: Clay
Bantog (Btg)
pH 7.2-7.6
Fe (brownish gray) and

Others
Mn (black) mottles
go to page 19
San Fabian (Sfn)
Coarse Fragments gravels
pH 6.5-7.0
Others compacted
go to page 19
Nueva Ecija 11
Dark Yellowish Brown
Texture
Loamy sand/Silt Loam page 13
Clay page 14
Clay Loam page 15
Silt Loam page 16

Texture: Loamy Sand/Silt Loam
Quingua (Qga)
pH 6.8-7.6
Others and Mn (black) mottles
go to page 20
Nueva Ecija 13
Texture: Clay
Sibul (Sbl)
pH 5.5-6.0
Others
mottles
go to page 20

Texture: Clay Loam
Umingan (Umn)
Coarse Fragments gravels and stones
pH 5.8-6.7
Others none
go to page 21
Nueva Ecija 15
Texture: Silt Loam
Annam (Anm)
Coarse Fragments rock fragments
pH 5.5-6.0
Others mottles (brown spots)
go to page 21

Soil
Profile Pictures
Nueva Ecija 17
00 cm 00 cm 00 cm
Apg Apg Ap
15
10
25
ABg
30 Bcg
AB 25
50
Bg1
Btcg
52 50
Bg1
BCcg
Bg2
Bg2
Cg
90 110 94
Maligaya (Mgl) Zaragosa (Zg) Prensa (Pr)

page 23 page 24 page 23

Ap1 Ap 00 cm
05 cm
15 cm
Ap2 Bwg1
35
30
Bw1 Bwg2
70
40
Bw2
Bwg3
60
100
70
Bw3
Bwg4
140 110 90
San Manuel (Snm) Bantog (Btg) San Fabian (Sfn)

page 23 page 23 page 24
Nueva Ecija 19
00 cm 00 cm
Ap Ap
Bw1
AB
40
30
Bw1
Bw2
60
80
Bw2
Bw3 120
100
BC
Bw4
125 175
Quingua (Qga) Sibul (Sbl)

page 23 page 24

00 cm 00 cm
Ap Ap
Bo1
AB
25
50
BW1 Bo2
50
BC1
75
BW2
75
BC2
BC
100 115
Umingan (Umn) Annam (Anm)

page 24 page 24
Nueva Ecija 21
Properties
of Different
Soil Types
that affect
the growth
of crops

Table 1. Properties of Different Soil Series that
Affect the Growth of Crops.
Soil Lowland Soils

Qualities
Bantog Maligaya Prensa Quingua San
in Relation
Manuel
to Crop
Production
Soil pH 6.5-7.6 6.8-7.2 6.5-7.2 6.8-7.6 6.7-7.4

N Level medium low low low low
P Level high high medium medium low
K Level low low low medium medium
Soil Texture clay, clay clay clay to silt loam
clay loam clay
loam loam, silt
loam
Drainage well imper- mode- well well
fectly rately
well
Permeabi- slow slow to slow mode- modera-

lity to very very slow to very rately te to
slow slow slow slow
Rock Frag- none none none none none
ments
Effective deep deep deep deep deep
Soil Depth (150cm) (150cm) (150cm) (150cm) (150cm)
Flooding sea- none to none seasonal sea-
Hazard sonal seaso- sonal
nal
Topogra- flat almost undu- almost almost
phy flat lating, flat flat
rolling
Inherent high high mode- mode- modera-
Fertility rate rate te to
high
Nueva Ecija 23
Table 1. (continuation)
Soil Upland Soils

Qualities
Zara- Annam San Sibul Umi-
in Relation
gosa Fabian ngan
to Crop
Production
Soil pH 6.8-7.4 5.5-6.0 6.5-7.0 5.5-6.0 5.8-6.7

N Level low medium medium low low
P Level medium low high low low
K Level low low high low medium
Soil Texture clay silty clay clay loam clay silty clay
loam to loam
clay
Drainage some- good well well well

what
poor
Perme- slow mode- moderate mode- moder-
ability to very rate rate ate
slow
Rock none rock frag- gravels none gravels
Fragments ments
Effective deep mode- deep shallow deep
Soil Depth (150cm) rately (100)
deep
(<90 cm)
Flooding sea- none none none sea-
Hazard sonal sonal
Topo- almost undu- rolling to roll- gently
graphy flat lating, hilly with ing to sloping
rolling to some steep
steep level
areas
Inherent high low to moderate moder- mode-
Fertility moderate rate
ate

Soil
Productivity
Soil productivity is that quality of a soil that
summarizes its potential in producing plants
or sequences of plants under defined sets of
management practices; it is also a synthesis
of condition of soil fertility, water control, plant
species, soil tilth, pest control and physical
environment (Bainroth, 1978: Badayos, 1990).
In economic terms, it is a measure of amount
of inputs of production factors required to
correct soil limitation(s) in order to attain a
certain level of production. It is expressed as
the average crop yield under defined sets of
management classes (Badayos, 1990).
Soil productivity index is used for making

comparisons among soils; categorized
into inherent and potential. The inherent
productivity index is the natural capacity of
the soil to produce a given yield; potential
refers to the capability of the soil to produce
yield after correctible soil constraints had
been remedied. In economics, the predicted
inherent yield is calculated by multiplying
the inherent index by the maximum potential
yield of rice; predicted maximum possible
Nueva Ecija 25
yield is computed by multiplying the potential
index by the maximum potential yield. For
instance, the maximum potential yield in the
dry season is 8 tons/hectare, and the inherent
and potential productivity ratings for Maligaya
soil is 0.83 and 0.93, respectively. Then, the
predicted inherent and potential yields of rice
in Maligaya soils are 6.6 and 7.4 tons/ha,
respectively.
Table 2. The soil productivity index for rice.
Inherent Potential
Soil Series
Productivity Productivity
Annam 0.58 0.73
Bantog 0.81 0.91
Maligaya 0.83 0.93
Prensa 0.60 0.78
Quingua 0.68 0.78
San Fabian 0.60 0.70
San Manuel 0.75 0.85
Sibul 0.36 0.46

Umingan 0.61 0.71
Zaragosa 0.75 0.95

Crop
Suitability Analysis
Nueva Ecija 27
Crop Suitability Analysis
Soil suitability classification refers to the use of
a piece of land on a sustainable basis, based on
physical and chemical properties and environmental
factors. It is the ultimate aim of soil survey and
this may come up through a good judgment and a
thorough evaluation of soil properties and qualities
like depth, texture, slope, drainage, erosion, flooding
and fertility. Based from these properties, the
suitability of a certain tract of land for crop production
is determined.
Suitability ratings denote qualitative analysis of the

potential of a certain soil to different crops. It implies
what crop(s) would give the highest benefit in terms
of productivity and profitability from a given soil
type, indicated by S1 as the most suitable, S2 as
moderately suitable and S3 as marginally suitable.
The symbol N implies that the crop is either currently
not suitable (N1) where the effect of limitation is so
severe as greatly to reduce the yield and require
costly inputs; or permanently not suitable (N2) where
the limitations cannot be corrected permanently.
Crop suitability analysis also provides information on
soil properties that limit the production of specified
crop(s). The crop suitability analysis for the soils of
Nueva Ecija is shown on Table 3 (29-30).
When using a parametric system, the soil index can

be equated into percentage shown below. It means
that you can attain 75% of the potential yield of the
crop when the soil index is highly suitable (S1) while
less than 25% of the potential yield when the soil
index is not suitable (N).
S1: soil index >75 S3: soil index 25-50
S2: soil index 50-75 N: soil index <25

Table 3. The crop suitability analysis of the soils of Nueva Ecija for different crops.
Rice Rice Rice
Soil Series Slope Irrigated Rainfed Rainfed Maize Sorghum Onion
Lowland Upland Lowland
Annam undulating to rolling S2sf S2cf S2cts S1 S1 S3tf
Bantog level to nearly level S1 S2cw S2c S1 S1 S1
Maligaya level to undulating S2f S2cf S2cf S2f S2f Nf
Prensa gently sloping S2sf S2cf S2csf S2f S1 S3f
Quingua level to nearly level S2f S2cf S2cf S2f S1 S2f
San Fabian rolling to hilly S3f S3f S3w S3f S3f S3f
San Manuel level to nearly level S3sf S2cf S3sf S1 S1 S1
Sibul undulating, rolling to steep S2sf N2t N2t S2f N1t Ntf
Umingan level to undulating S2sf S3f S2sf S2sf S2sf S2sf
Zaragosa level to nearly level S3f S3f S3f S3f S2sf S3f
Suitability ratings: Limitations due to:
S1 - Highly suitable t - topography; slope
S2 - Moderately suitable w - drainage; flooding
S3 - Marginally suitable s - texture; coarse fragments; soil depth
N1 - Currently not suitable f - soil fertility
c - climate
Nueva Ecija 29
N2 - Permanently not suitable
Table 3. (continuation)
Soil Series Slope Tobacco Sweet Sugar- Peanut Water Mango
Potato cane Melon
Annam undulating to rolling S3ts S2f S3t S3t S3t S3t
Bantog level to nearly level S3ws S1 S1 S1 S2ws S1
Maligaya level to undulating S3wsf S2f S2f S3f S3wf S2f
Prensa gently sloping S2f S3f S3f S2f S2f S2f
Quingua level to nearly level S2f S2f S2f S2f S2f S2f
San Fabian rolling to hilly S3f S3f S3f S2tsf S3sf S3s
San Manuel level to nearly level S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1
Sibul undulating, rolling, to steep Nt S3f Nt Nt Nt Nt
S2sf S2f S2sf S2sf S2sf S2sf

Umingan level to undulating
Zaragosa level to nearly level S3f S3f S3f S3f S3f S3f
Suitability ratings: Limitations due to:
S1 - Highly suitable t - topography; slope
S2 - Moderately suitable w - drainage; flooding
S3 - Marginally suitable s - texture; coarse fragments; soil depth
N1 - Currently not suitable f - soil fertility
N2 - Permanently not suitable c - climate
SoilManagement
Recommendations
Nueva Ecija 31
Soil Management
Recommendations
The goal of soil management is to protect
soil and enhance its performance to increase
farm profitably and preserve environmental
quality. It is the combination of soil factors
to maximize crop production at the lowest
possible cost while leaving the soil in a
productive state. It involves: maintaining the
soil in good physical condition, maintaining
the soil fertility status, and influencing the
biological aspect of the soil so that maximum
benefits result (Harpstead, et al., 1997).
Soil management recommendations suitable
for each soil identified were enumerated in
the succeeding pages (table 4). In making
soil management recommendations, soil
properties such as texture, mineralogy,
moisture and temperature regimes, and
climate were considered since these factors
affect the crop growth. However, these
properties cannot be changed but control
tillage, crop rotations, soil amendments
and other management choices can be
done. Through these choices, the structure,
biological activity, chemical content of
soil can be altered and later on influence
erosion rates, pest population, and nutrient
availability and crop production.

Table 4. The soil series of Nueva Ecija with their limitations for crop production and corre-
sponding management recommendations for different crops.
Soil Limitations Soil Management Recommendations

Series for crop Diversified Root crop Tree/Forest/
production Rice
crops Plantation crop
Annam Aluminum poorly drained soils green manuring: liming; contour upland and hilly
(Al) and Iron on the alluvial basin liming; large terracing; buffer land is well-suited
(Fe) Toxicity; are moderately initial application strip cropping; for agroforest,
run-off; sloping suitable for paddy; of phosphate addition of industrial crops,
topography fertilization; maintain fertilizers; organic matter orchard and
properly the paddy suitable for and animal forest but use
dikes diversified crops manure to locally adapted
improve soil high-yielding
fertility and varieties of tree
water holding crops; practice
capacity proper fertilization
Cropping Pattern: rice-maize/sorghum/vegetables/root crops
Nueva Ecija 33
Soil Soil Management Recommendations
Limitations
Series Root crop Tree/Forest/
for crop production Rice Diversified crops
Plantation crop
Bantog poor drainage; high practice shallow construction of establishment of unsuitable
shrink and swell cultivation when adequate drainage adequate drainage under present
capacity upon wetting soil moisture and irrigation conditions but

irrigation and flood
and drying producing is at optimum; control system due system; application will become
wide cracks in the suited for to seasonal flooding of organic matter suitable if
soil, hard when dry; irrigated and hazard in low areas; and farm manure proper manage-
seasonal flooding rainfed paddy use of broadbeds, ment practices
in low areas; slow rice; maintain ridges or furrows are done, like
permeability properly the and mulching; establishment of
paddy dikes application of adequate drain-
organic matter and age and flood
farm manure control systems;
use of suitable
tree species
and proper
fertilization
Cropping Pattern: rice-rice; rice-diversified crops/vegetables/root crops
Mali- heavy clay: poor practice shallow application of establishment of practice
gaya drainage: high shrink cultivation when fertilizers and adequate drainage proper timing
and swell capacity soil moisture organic matter; and irrigation sys- of cultivation
upon wetting and is at optimum; allow proper tem; use of the right and planting
drying producing wide suited for drainage system in kind and amount of due to clayey
cracks in the soil, hard irrigated and the field to address fertilizers including texture
when dry; very slow rainfed paddy the heavy clay their methods of
permeability rice; maintain texture of this soil; application; proper
properly the use broadbeds, timing of cultivation
paddy dikes ridges and mulching and planting
Prensa dissected physiography establishment application of establishment of practice
limits paddy field size of adequate fertilizers and adequate drainage proper timing
and excess elevations drainage organic matter; and irrigation of cultivation
increase cost of exten- and irrigation requires contour system; regular and planting
sive gravity irrigation system; proper cultivation; use addition of organic due to clayey
inputs; excess 2:1 clay leveling, green manures and matter and animal texture
causes physical limita- construction mulches; proper manure; proper
tions for diversified and main- timing of cultivation timing of cultivation
crops; sloping tenance of and planting and planting
topography requires paddy dikes
contour ltivation
Nueva Ecija 35
Series for crop Root crop Tree/Forest/
production Rice Diversified crops
Plantation crop
Quin- climate, suited for suited for diversified crops; suited for root suited for
gua seasonal paddy rice; construction of adequate crops; construction tree crops;
flooding application drainage irrigation and flood of adequate construction

of inorganic control system; proper timing of drainage irrigation of adequate
fertilizers to cultivation and planting and flood control drainage
maintain the system; proper irrigation and
fertility of the timing of cultivation flood control
soil and planting system
San during the not suitable practice contour farming; subsoiling; addition subsoiling;
Fabian dry season, for irrigated conservation tillage such as of organic matter cover cropping
the unplowed lowland rice mulching and groundcover help and animal manure with legumes;
soil is production conserve moisture; minimize to improve soil use of locally
compact and due to runoff and control erosion; fertility and water adapted
hard, and irrigation practice green manuring holding capacity high-yielding
cracks into problem; to improve soil fertility and varieties of tree
big clods; structure; suited for vegetables crops
San sloping suited for and other cash crops but apply
Fabian topography; rainfed rice fertilizers and organic matter
(conti- irrigation Cropping Pattern: upland rice-diversified crops/vegetables/root crops; diversified
nued) problems crops/vegetables/root crops- diversified; crops/vegetables/root crops
San excessively application construction of adequate establishment of adequate drain-

Manuel wet and of phosphate drainage, irrigation and flood adequate drainage age and irriga-
annual fertilizers; control system due to seasonal and irrigation tion system;
flooding suited for flooding hazard and high system; regular cover cropping
for short paddy rice seasonal water table; use addition of organic with legumes;
periods and during wet broadbeds, and ridges; suited matter and animal proper fertiliza-
excessive season and for diversified crops such as manure to improve tion, timing of
droughtiness with adequate corn, vegetables, and water soil fertility cultivation and
from March irrigation melon planting; use of
to May; low during dry locally adapted
phosphorus season high-yielding
content varieties is
recommended
to improve the
growth and yield
of tree crops
Nueva Ecija 37
Series for crop Root crop Tree/Forest/
production Rice Diversified crops
Plantation crop
Sibul shallow soil; not suited application of fertilizer contour terracing; fruit trees,
undulating to for irrigated and organic matter; buffer strip agroforest and
steep topography; lowland practice contour farming; cropping; proper industrial tree

sometimes production conservation tillage such as fertilization; species are
presence of because of mulching and groundcover proper timing of recommended in
limestone fragment irrigation help conserve moisture, cultivation and rolling to steep
at the top soil constraints; slow runoff, minimize and planting; liming; topography;
leveling and control erosion; mulching addition of organic contour terracing,
terracing using organic materials matter and tillage and
help sustain soil fertility; animal manure planting; cover
suited to any cash or to improve soil cropping with
diversified crops fertility and water legumes; use of
holding capacity locally adapted
high-yielding
varieties of tree
crops
Cropping Pattern: upland rice-diversified crops/vegetables/root crops
Umi- presence of application construction of adequate gravel at the clearing of large
ngan gravelly or stony of fertilizer; drainage irrigation and lower subsoil may gravel and rock
layer at the lower suited for flood control system; cause the lower outcrops
subsoil. Due paddy rice application of fertilizer and yield of root crops
to this layer of and other organic matter; suited for
stones and gravel, crops; diversified crops
the soils tend clearing of
to be droughty; large gravel
occurrence of and rock
floods during and outcrops
after heavy rains Cropping Pattern: rice-diversified crops/vegetables/root crops
Zara- seasonal flooding suited for application of phosphate establishment adequate
gosa hazards and high lowland rice fertilizers and organic of adequate drainage and
seasonal water production matter; artificial irrigation drainage and irrigation system;
table; extreme during dry and drainage required due irrigation system plant flood-tolerant
climatic limitation; season to seasonal flooding hazard crops
some depositional and high seasonal water
problem table; allow proper drainage
system; grow flood-tolerant
crops during wet season
Nueva Ecija 39
Cropping Pattern: rice-diversified crops/vegetables/root crops
Soil Taxonomic
Classification
Nueva Ecija 41
Soil Taxonomic Classification
Soil taxonomy is a system of naming, describing,
and categorizing soils. It helps us to understand
how soils had formed, changed, and their effects
on crops and natural resource management. It
uses a specific nomenclature that both classifies
the soil and gives a distinctive name to the
individual soil. Names are constructed from the
formative elements (generally originating from
Greek and Latin) which are used in specific
combinations to provide a highly descriptive
name to a specific soil type.
Scientists have developed different systems

of soil classification to group soils of similar
properties in one class, allowing them to
exchange information on soils found in
different areas. In the classification scheme,
characteristics and information about the soil
become more specific as one continues from
order, sub-order, great group, sub-group, family,
to series level. For this purpose, the USDA Soil
Taxonomic Classification scheme was employed
for technical use of researchers and students.
Soil Taxonomic Classification that implies the
general features of a given soil indicating its
texture, mineralogy, moisture and temperature
regimes, diagnostic horizons, and soil order
is presented in Table 5 (pages 43-48). These
features/properties influence crop growth
and serve as basis for transferability of soil
management technology.

Table 5. Soil taxonomic classification of each soil
series in Nueva Ecija with interpretation.
Soil Taxonomic Interpretation

Series Classification
Annam Fine loamy, This soil has fine-loamy
mixed (ca.), texture and isohyperthermic
isohyperthermic temperature regime (>22°C).
TYPIC It is an Oxisol (-ox), which is
EUTRUSTOX an intensely weathered soil
predominated by oxides from
iron and aluminum due to
repeated high precipitation and
high temperature (-ust). It is a
typical (typic) representative
of the great group Eutrustox
which means it has high base
saturation (eutr-).
Bantog Very fine, This is a very fine-
mixed, textured soil with high clay
isohyperthermic, content of >60% and has
AERIC isohyperthermic temperature
CALCIAQUERT regime (>22°C). It is a
Vertisol(-ert), dominated
by shrink-swell clays that
cause deep wide cracks,
slickensides, very sticky when
wet and compact when dry.
It is saturated with water
repeatedly (aqu-) but not
as wet as the typical, i.e. it
is better aerated, usually
because either groundwater
is deep or the period of
saturation is shorter (aeric).
This soil also has high calcium
saturation (calci-) in its subsoil
horizons.
Nueva Ecija 43
Mali- Fine, smectitic, This is a fine loamy-
gaya isohyperthermic, textured soil with high clay
TYPIC content of 35-60% and has
CALCIAQUERT isohyperthermic temperature
regime (>22°C). It is a Vertisol
(-ert), dominated by shrink-
swell clays that cause deep
wide cracks, slickensides, very
sticky when wet and compact
when dry. It is a typical (typic)
representative of the great
group Calciaquerts which
means it is saturated with
water for repeated periods of
time (aqu-) manifested by its
grayish color with or without
mottles. This soil has high
calcium (calci-) saturation in
its subsoil horizons.
Prensa Fine, mixed, This is a fine-textured soil
isohyperthermic, containing a large amount
VERTIC of clay (35-60%) and has
EPIAQUALF isohyperthermic temperature
regime (>22°C). It is an
Alfisol (-alf), i.e. there is
illuvial accumulation on clay
in the subsoil horizons from
the underlying horizons. It
is saturated with water for
repeated periods of time (aqu-)
manifested by its grayish
color with or without mottles.
It is a representative of the
great group Epiaqualfs that
has vertic properties, i.e. it is
dominated by clays that shrink
and swell producing wide
cracks and slickensides due to
repeated wetting and drying.

Quin- Fine silty, Fine loamy-textured soil with

gua isohyper- moderate amount of clay (18-
thermic, 35%) and isohyperthermic
FLUVA- temperature regime (>22°C).
QUENTIC It is Mollisol (-oll) or dark-
EPIAQUOLL colored, fertile soils with
high base saturation and
natural to medium acid pH.
It is saturated with water for
repeated periods of time
(aqu-) due to river flooding
(fluvaquentic) manifested
by its grayish color with or
without mottles.
San Fine loamy, Fine loamy-textured soil

Fabian mixed (ca.), with high clay content of
isohyper- 35-60% and isohyperthermic
thermic, temperature regime
TYPIC (>22°C). It is a Vertisol (-ert).
CALCIQUERT dominated by shrink-swell
clays that cause deep wide
cracks, slickensides, very
sticky when wet and compact
when dry. It is a typical
(typic) representative of the
great group Calciaquerts. It
is saturated with water for
repeated periods of time
(aqu-) manifested by its
grayish color with or without
mottles. This soil also has
high calcium (calci-)
saturation in its subsoil
horizons.
Nueva Ecija 45
San Fine loamy, Fine loamy-textured

Manuel smectitic (ca.), soil with moderate
isohyper- amount of clay (18-35%)
thermic, and isohyperthermic
FLUVA- temperature regime
QUENTIC (>22°C). It is an Inceptisol
EPIAQUEPT (-ept), i.e. it is in the
incipient development
toward mature soil,
but has not yet fully
developed its diagnostic
horizons. It is saturated
with water for repeated
periods of time (aqu-)
due to river flooding
(fluvaquentic) manifested
by its grayish color with or
without mottles.
Sibul Fine to very Fine to very fine-textured

fine, isohy- soil containing >60% clay
perthermic, and has isohyperthermic
TYPIC temperature regime
EUTRUDEPT (>22°C). It is an
Inceptisol (-ept), i.e. it is in
the incipient development
toward mature soil,
but has not yet fully
developed its diagnostic
horizons. It is a typical
(typic) representative
of the great group
Eutrudepts which has high
base saturation (eutr-)
occurring in areas with
well distributed rainfall
(-ud).

Umingan Loamy Loamy skeletal-

skeletal, textured soil with
mixed (ca.), many gravels and
isohyper- pebbles present
thermic, and isohyperthermic
FLUVENTIC temperature regime
HAPLUSTEPT (>22°C). It is an
Inceptisol (-ept), i.e.
it is in the incipient
development toward
mature soil, but has
not yet fully developed
its diagnostic horizons.
This soil has minimum
complexity in its soil
horizonation (hapl-)
found in areas with
pronounced wet and
dry seasons (-ust).
It is a representative
of the great group
Haplustepts which is
subject to seasonal
river flooding
(fluventic).
Zaragosa Fine, Fine-textured soil with

smectitic (ca.), moderate amount
isohyperther- of clay (18-35%)
mic, VERTIC and isohyperthermic
EPIAQUEPT temperature regime
(>22°C). It is an
Inceptisol (-ept), i.e.
it is in the incipient
development toward
mature soil, but has not
yet fully developed its
diagnostic horizons.
Nueva Ecija 47
Zaragosa Fine, It is saturated with
(continued) smectitic (ca.), water for repeated
isohyperther- periods of time (aqu-)
mic, VERTIC manifested by its
EPIAQUEPT grayish color with or
without mottles. This
is a representative
of the great group
Epiaquepts vertic
properties, i.e. it
is dominated by
clays that shrink
and swell producing
wide cracks and
slickensides due to
repeated wetting and
drying.

Appendices
Nueva Ecija 49
APPENDIX 1. STEPS TO IDENTIFY SOIL SERIES
1
Soil sampling
Choose a vacant area

in your field. Using a
spade/auger, dig up
to 50cm from the soil
surface.
Depth of soil is
important. The
surface/top soil is not
a good basis since it is
always cultivated.
Get bulk soil sample (½

kilo) from a 30-50cm
depth; place it in a
container (plastic/pail).
This sample will be
used for soil series
identification.

2
Soil color determination
Soil color is an indi-

rect measure of other
characteristics such as
drainage, aeration, and
organic matter content.
Black-colored soils may
indicate high fertility
and productivity. Gray
indicates a fairly con-
stant water-saturated
condition. Bright brown
and red colors are in-
dicative of good aeration
and drainage.
Get an ample amount

of soil from the sample.
The soil should be moist
(neither too wet, nor too
dry).
Compare the color of

the soil sample with
the color chart in
the guidebook. Take
note of the classifica-
tion of the soil color.
Nueva Ecija 51
3 Texture determination

4 pH Determination (UPLB procedure)
Get soil sample from a

30-50cm depth. Fill the
test tube with soil sample
up to the scratch mark.
Add 7 drops of CPR

(chlorphenol red). Mix by
gently swirling the test
tube.
If soil pH is 6 or greater,
repeat the steps using BTB
(brom thymol blue).
If the soil pH is 5 or less,

repeat the steps using
BCG (brom cresol green).
Match the color of the

solution on top of the soil
with the corresponding
color chart of the pH
indicator dye used.
Nueva Ecija 53
APPENDIX 2. THE PALAYCHECK SYSTEM
The Palaycheck System

is a rice integrated
crop management
that combines the
technologies and
learning processes to
identify strengths and
weaknesses of current
crop management practices, make improvements
in the next season to increase grain yield, input use
efficiency, and profit with environmental concerns.
The PalayCheck System describes the crop

management practices (input) to achieve the following
Key Checks (output):
1) Used certified seeds of a

recommended variety.
2) No high and low soil

spots after final leveling.
3) Practiced synchronous
planting after a fallow
period.
4) Sufficient number of
healthy seedlings.

5) Sufficient nutrients at tillering to early panicle
initiation, and flowering.
6) Avoided excessive
water or drought
stress that could
affect the growth and
the yield of the
crop.
7) No significant yield
loss due to pests.
8) Cut and threshed the

crop at the right time.
Nueva Ecija 55
References
Badayos, R. B. 1990. Lowland rice soils in the
Philippines, their characteristics and classification
in relation to productivity. Inaugural Professorial
Lecture. SEARCA, UPLB.
Beinroth, F. H. 1978. Some fundamentals of
soil classification. In: Soil-resource data for
agricultural development. Ed. Leslie D. Swindale.
Hawaii Ag. Expt. Sra., College of Trop. Agric.,
University of Hawaii. p.12-19.
MI Harpstead, TJ Sauer, and WF Bennet. 1997.
Soil Science Simplified. 3rd Edition. Iowa State
University Press, Ames Iowa 50014.
“Simplified Keys to Soil Series (29 Soil Series for Maize
Production), Lop Buri Province” The International
Training Workshop on “Applying Information
Technology for Site-Specific Agriculture in Small
Farms of Tropics.” August 4-10, 2003. Bangkok,
Thailand.
Soil Survey of Nueva Ecija Province. Department of
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bureau of
Soils, Manila, Philippines. Bureau of Printing
Manila.
Soil Survey Manual. US Department of Agricultural
Handbook No. 18. August 1951.Soil Survey
Staff, Bureau of Plant and Industry, Soils, and
Agricultural Engineering. Agricultural Research
Administration, US Department of Agriculture.

Subject Matter Specialists
PhilRice
Wilfredo B. Collado
Mary Rose O. Obico
Rona T. Dollentas
Jesiree Elena Ann P. Dela Torre
Jovino L. De Dios
Leo C. Javier
Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang, Jr., PhD
UP Los Baños
Rodrigo B. Badayos, PhD
Armando E. Soliman
Managing Editor/Layout Artist

Hazel V. Antonio
Editor
Constante T. Briones

Editorial Advisers
Leocadio S. Sebastian, PhD
Madonna C. Casimero, PhD
Ronan G. Zagado
Nueva Ecija 57

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SIMPLIFIED

Nueva Ecija iii

Philippine Rice Research Institute

iv Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

This guidebook on “Simplified Keys to Soil

Soil identification is an important

This is a good guide for effective nutrient

The guidebook features the different

Nueva Ecija vii

We thank the farmers, agricultural

We hope that this publication can help you

viii Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

“Simplified Keys to Soil Series” is a tool/guide

This guidebook is easy-to-use. It involves

Ten soil series found in Nueva Ecija (Annam,

1. Choose a vacant area

2. Get bulk soil

3. Compare the soil

2 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

5. Take one spoonful of the

6. Take note of the presence or absence of coarse

Manganese concretions Quartz

8. Use the Simplified Keys

4 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

Dark Grayish Brown (go to page 9)

Dark Yellowish Brown (go to page 12)

6 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

Coarse Fragments none

Coarse Fragments none

Texture: Clay Loam

Coarse Fragments gravels

8 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

Texture: Clay Loam

San Manuel (Snm)

Coarse Fragments none

mottles (red spots);

10 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

Coarse Fragments none

Fe (brownish gray) and

San Fabian (Sfn)

Coarse Fragments gravels

12 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

Texture: Loamy Sand/Silt Loam

Coarse Fragments none

Coarse Fragments none

14 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

Texture: Clay Loam

Coarse Fragments gravels and stones

Texture: Silt Loam

Coarse Fragments rock fragments

Others mottles (brown spots)

16 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

Maligaya (Mgl) Zaragosa (Zg) Prensa (Pr)

18 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

San Manuel (Snm) Bantog (Btg) San Fabian (Sfn)

Quingua (Qga) Sibul (Sbl)

20 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

Umingan (Umn) Annam (Anm)

22 Simplified Keys TO Soil Series

Soil Lowland Soils

Soil pH 6.5-7.6 6.8-7.2 6.5-7.2 6.8-7.6 6.7-7.4

Permeabi- slow slow to slow mode- modera-

Soil Upland Soils