HUMIDITY RETENTION IN SOIL WITH Elaeis guineensis Jacq. AT DIFFERENT AGES OF DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The amount of water retained by soil depends on its physical and chemical properties, as well as the type of cover or crop present. It is important to understand the effects of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantations on water requirements. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine soil humidity parameters in oil palm plantations at different ages of development in Tabasco, Mexico. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications. Four treatments were evaluated: 5-, 11-, and 25-year-old oil palm, and pasture as a control treatment. As response variables, parameters of bulk density (Da), texture, field capacity (CC), permanent wilting point (PMP), electrical conductivity (CE), saturation point (PS), and soil humidity parameters including irrigation sheet (Lr), sheet in the infiltration rate test (Lr_inf), basic infiltration (Ib), accumulated sheet (Z), soil humidity retention curves (CRH), and soil humidity stress (EHS) were determined. Ib and Z values were determined in the surface layer; Lr, Lr_inf, and CRH at three depths (0–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm). The results indicate that the treatments presented significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in all the variables evaluated; and the parameters of field capacity, permanent wilting point, initial and final humidity in the infiltration rate test, affected the humidity content in the Lr, Lr_inf, CRH and EHS. It is concluded that oil palm age modifies soil humidity retention parameters and influences water requirements.