Relación entre la conductividad eléctrica y las propiedades químicas del suelo a nivel de planta a lo largo de una gradiente altitudinal en la Zona Sur del Ecuador.

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined the relationship between electrical conductivity and organic matter with soil properties at the level of the plant Vachellia macracantha (Humb. & Bonpl.ex Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger, along an altitudinal gradient in dry scrub, located south of Ecuador in the Catamayo sector. In the study area four altitudinal floors were defined (1200, 1400, 1600 and 1800 m.s.n.m); in each gradient, 20 trees of Vachellia macracantha were identified; with a total of 80 trees, from which soil samples were taken and the main edaphic properties such as texture, bulk density, humidity, pH, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, bases, electrical conductivity were determined. The results indicate that the edaphic properties sampled at the plant level vary with altitude. Electrical conductivity and organic matter were related Electrical conductivity and organic matter were positively related to some of the physical and chemical properties such as: humidity, pH, N, P, Ca, Mg and Na of the soil at the plant level and of the altitude. Surprisingly potassium, calcium and magnesium were not related to the electrical conductivity to which the release of them is attributed to causes such as canopy leaching, root exudation, death and decomposition of roots and soil organisms which are related with the texture of the ground and its structure. Knowing the edaphic properties allows us to know the fertility of the soils, base point for the conservation of the edaphic resource.