Applying the New Methodology for Determining the Suitability of Land for Fruit Production

Abstract

This paper makes reference to the specific conditions for applying the new methodology for estimating pedo-climatic resources in terms of land suitability for fruit production. The old system fit the fruit growing lands in 6 categories of suitability taking into account the following indicators: soil thickness, useful edaphic volume, degree of salting and alkalinity, depth of horizon Cca, active CaCO 3 , pH, mobile Al, vertic character, slope, degree of unevenness, the degree of erosion, landslides, groundwater, global drainage, non-gleyed soil volume, intensity excess moisture and flooding danger. This simplified model of the new methodology was applied in two stages: in the first stage was included the individual assessment of the suitability of species depending on soil variables (pH, texture and drainage) and on climate (average temperatures, extreme daily rainfall and the absolute minimum temperature during the growing season. In the second phase were combined suitability scores of soil and climate, thus resulting in a quantitative estimates (with numeric values between 0 and 4): the range between 0 and 0.5 is considered unfavorable, the range between 0.5 and 1.5 is considered a little favorable, between 1.5 and 2.5 moderately favorable, between 2.5 and 3.5 favorable, and more than 3.5 notes will give very favorable ratings of that location. For a project to be eligible for funding the minimum grade is 2.4. If that location is considered at low favorability, below 2.4, then, on demand, potentiation may be applied depending on the evaluation notes and pedo-climatic factors of that zone.