The study evaluated the morpho-physical, chemical, and biological characteristics as well as the nutrient status of two degraded upland soils located in Sta. Rita, Western Samar and in Salcedo, Eastern Samar. Soil profiles were examined and soil erosion was determined. Composite soil and plant tissue samples were collected from different vegetation cover or crops planted by the farmers. All laboratory analyses were done following standard procedures. Results indicate that: 1) the Sta. Rita soil which is relatively younger than the Salcedo soil shows less severe degree of degradation than the Salcedo soil; 2) the nutrient status of the degraded upland soils in Sta. Rita and Salcedo are low; 3) the low nutrient status is more severe in the Salcedo than in the Sta. Rita ;4) both sites have strongly acidic soils which are low in OM, total N, and available P contents; 5) considerable variations in the soil nutrient status were observed under different vegetation covers or crops; 6) soil erosion the appears to be major soil degradation process in both degraded uplands; 7) the low nutrient concentrations in the tissues of the plants growing at the sites reflect the low nutrient status of the soils; and 8) bulk density, porosity, aggregate stability, soil pH, organic matter, and carbon dioxide evolution appear to be good indicators of soil degradation.

The study was conducted to understand the physico-chemical characteristics of the soils under cacao production system in Davao de Oro, Philippines. Eight (8) cacao farms were selected for detailed field characterization and sampling of soils for various nutrient analyses. Fertility status of each selected farm was determined by comparing the fertility properties of each soil with the critical nutrient level requirement for cacao. Results showed that most of the soils have a dark brown soil color in the upper horizons, and dark, yellowishbrown in the lower horizons. They range from moderately deep to very deep soil profile (19 to 150 cm), with very friable to extremely firm when moist, slightly sticky to very sticky, and slightly plastic to very plastic when soil consistence is wet. Lower elevations had shallow solum with high water table, resulting in the development of mottles and redoximorphic properties. The amount of clay ranged from 9 to 37%, with 18 to 40% for silt, and 30 to 68% for sand. Most of the cacao farms were intercropped with coconut, durian, lanzones, rubber, and banana. Most of the soils are moderate to slightly acidic, with pH values < 6.5 and CEC ranging from 10 to 34 meq/100g. Moreover, most of the areas have low organic matter (1.66%) except for the areas which continually applied organic matter during fertilization (4.60%). The amount of nitrogen (N) is optimum; however, phosphorus (P) was generally deficient in the soils of most cacao farms surveyed, while amount of potassium (K) ranges from 41.30 to 375.60 mg/kg.