The study of the soil texture parameter in the upland of Khon Kaen province; Thailand

Abstract

This study investigated the soil texture parameter in the upland of Khon Kaen Province; Thailand. The testing of primary tillage was conducted using general farming equipment consisting of three types of machinery as a 3-disk plow, 7-disk harrow, and a trash eliminated disk plow. The field test size was 20x150 m, and testing was replicated three times with each piece of equipment. Soil properties and primary tillage data were measured using the draft force of the equipment, the width and depth of the plow, average speed, and work efficiency. The soil texture parameters were evaluated using an empirical model developed by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers [1]. The results showed that the soil texture was loamy sand. It was in dual classification of coarse texture and medium texture soil. The soil texture parameter (Fi) were calculated and founded between 1.4-1.5. It was greater than the soil texture parameter guidelines of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers which guided 0.45-0.70. It seemed to be a specific case of soil texture parameter (Fi). Thus, the study would be carried on in the future to clarify this phenomenon.