Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has produced a guide book titled Simplified Keys to Soil Series to provide farmers accurate soil identification through qualitative analysis of the soil’s basic properties: color, texture, pH (measure of acidity and alkalinity), and coarse fragments. 
Wilfredo Collado, senior science research specialist of Agronomy, Soils and Plant Physiology Division (ASPPD), said that the tool will not just provide better approach towards agro-technological transfer but will also help enhance agricultural productivity in a farming area.
“Once the soil is identified, most suitable crops can now be selected and planted, and at the same time, proper soil management recommendations can be devised,” Collado explained during a seminar titled “Key to Soil Series: A Tool for Improving Agricultural Productivity,” on 22 July.
Collado also said that farmers will also be guided on soil fertility and management, and appropriate technology requirements for a particular crop.
Soil identification follows simple methods from soil sampling, color determination, pH and texture determination. The steps under these methods are detailed in the guide book.
A soil series guide book for each of the major rice producing provinces of the country (Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Iloilo, Pampanga, Tarlac, Aklan, Antique, Bataan, Bulacan, Pangasinan, Zambales, Aurora, Cagayan, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental) is also available.
The seminar was organized in celebration of the International Year of Soils in 2015.
Farmers, extension workers, or anyone interested may contact the PhilRice Text Center (0920-911-1398) should they want to know more about the guide book.
