Field Diagnosis of Soil Conditions
in Small Holder Farms: Some
Thai experience
Russell Yost1, Tasnee Attanandana2, Prateep Verapattananirund3,
Sahaschai Kongton4, Roongroj Pitukdantham2
1University
of Hawai`i at Manoa
2Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
3Pan-Group, Bangkok, Thailand
4Department of Land Development, Bangkok, Thailand
Challenges of small farms in
Thailand:
• Farms are quite small (3.2 – 6.4 ha)
• Large variation in soil orders: Oxisols,
Ultisols, Alfisols, Mollisols.
• Can the attractive concepts of precision
agriculture be applied to such small
farms? Right amounts of the right nutrient
at the right time to the right crop at the
right place?
“Tailor-made Fertilization”
• “Tailor-made” fertilization was comprised
of four modules/steps:
1. Field identification of soil series (5 field
observable criteria)
2. Soil test kit analysis of field soil
3. Fertilizer recommendations with computerbased decision-aids
4. Farmer empowerment – people-centered
development, interactive learning, farmer
networking
1. Field Identification of Soils
• Soil series were identified based on 5 field
observable criteria; soil color, soil texture,
depth, stoniness, and soil pH. Potentially
uniquely identifying 324 soils.
• Farmers learned the
names of their soils,
using the names to
share and compare
experience
2. Soil test kit
• A soil test kit was developed
and patented for use in
tropical soils.
• Farmer leaders learned to
use the kit and trained other
farmers
3. Computer-based Decision-aid
• Decision-aid structure - nutrient management:
3.1 Diagnosis – What is missing / deficient?
3.2 Prediction – How much of what is needed?
3.3 Economic Analysis – It is economic to make the
predicted fertilizer application?
3.4 Recommendation – Summarize the information in
a form usable by the grower / producer.
• This structure can be implemented on a
computer and shared with others as software
(Phosphorus Decision Support System).
4. Farmer leaders teaching farmers
Comparison of fertilizer cost and maize yield using
tailor-made fertilizer and farmer’s practice
Farmer
Tailor-made fertilizer
Farmer’s practice
technology
Fertilizer cost Yield (kg/ha) Fertilizer cost Yield (kg/ha)
(US$/ha)
(US$/ha)
Kampan
200
11,575
233
9,744
Jiradet
200
7,500
265
5,938
Boonkham
171
9,281
232
8,344
Tien
200
11,063
245
9,594
average
192.8
9,855
243.8
8,405
Economic Benefit – Tailor Made
Fertilizer Recommendations
Net benefit, $/ha
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
160
Tailor made
Farmer Practice
180
200
220
240
Fertilizer Cost, $/ha
260
280
Soil testing by Soil Test Kit in Africa
Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer
technology
Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer
technology (cont.)
Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer
technology (cont.)
Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer
technology (cont.)
Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer
technology (cont.)
Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer
technology
Demonstration of soil testing to students
and farmers
Soil clinic
Soil clinic
Using the Thai test kit to test the soil before
fertilizer application at the soil clinic
Field Diagnosis of Small Holder
Agriculture -- Some Thai
Experience
• Attractive features of Precision Agriculture
were adapted to small farm conditions
– Soil identification, Diagnosis, Prediction,
Economic Solutions to nutrient limitations to
crop production
– Farmer leaders were identified, contrasting
with “Leading farmers”
Soil testing by Soil Test Kit in Africa
Collecting soils for diagnosis
Diagnostic Information:
Field testing a diagnosis in the Philippines:
Is there an economic response or not?
Example Implementation of the Structure of Nutrient
Management: (Phosphorus Decision Support System)
Awards
2009 Outstanding technologist
(Science and technology Promotion
Foundation)
2011 Outstanding research
(Thailand Research Fund)
“Tailor-made
fertilizer
technology for
maize, rice and
sugarcane
2012 Thai Senate acknowledgement award (science for excellence)
Conclusions
• Nutrient Management for small holder farms:
– Field identification of soil – soils can have names!
– Field testing of soil pH, N, P, and K
– Decision-aids
•
•
•
•
Diagnosis – What is missing / deficient?
Prediction – How much of what is needed?
Economic Analysis – It is economic to make the change?
Recommendation – Summarize the information in a form
understandable by the grower / producer.
– Farmer empowerment – Farmer Leaders, farmer
networking
– Soil clinic establishment-sustainable of the
technology by farmers in the community