Abstracto
- ABSTRACT To achieve optimum yields in plantain production, appropriate fertilization plans must be adjusted, for which the availability of nutrients in the soil must be taken into account. In order to contribute to the study of the fertility of soils cultivated with cooking banana in the province of Cundinamarca - Colombia, a chemical characterization of soils was carried out in four of the main producing municipalities. 146 farms located in Viotá, La Vega, La Palma and Chaguaní, were visited, and soil samples were taken for chemical analysis. The results obtained were subjected to a frequency analysis, Pearson's linear correlation and main components; finally making a comparison of means between the four municipalities. Low levels of P, S and Mg, medium of K, Ca and B were observed, as well as high concentrations of Zn that can be toxic for the plantain crop. On the other hand, the variables were grouped into four components associated with: the soil change layer, the soil reaction, the salinity and the relationship between P and Zn. Soils of the municipalities of La Vega and La Palma did not show variation in the change layer and soil reaction, contrary to that observed in Viotá and Chaguaní soils. Among the soils of the municipalities, there were significant differences for the properties of organic matter, Ca and Mg as well as cationic imbalances and strongly acidic pH.
