The analysis on fertility, crop suitability for different plants and eastern Craiova soils productivity capacity, i.e. Circea village area, was carried out by estimation work under natural conditions, a complex specialized work which highlights natural conditions of the area, where the soils and their physicochemical properties emerged and developed. Due to a varied natural conditions range, mainly because of the landscape, a large variety of soils, such as the reddish preluvosoil have formed in the area where the research was carried out; out of which, on wider areas, reddish luvic preluvosoil, reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoil and reddish alluvial preluvosoil. As a result of land evaluation and crop favourability classes, depending on natural factors and soil properties in the researched area, one can note that the alluvial reddish preluvosoil is characterized by the highest natural fertility, being followed by the luvic red preluvosoil. Reddish stagnic preluvosoil is characterized by a very low natural productivity potential, highly differentiating itself from the other three types of soil. The highest productivity is that of the reddish alluvial preluvosoil followed closely by that of the reddish luvic preluvosoil, and the lowest productivity is that of the reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoils; that of soils on slopes,  where the lowering or limiting factors of productive capacity are represented by the processes of erosion and stagnogleyzation

CONSTANTINESCU, EMILIA

POPESCU, CRISTIAN

English

The analysis on fertility, crop suitability for different plants and eastern Craiova soils productivity capacity, i.e. Circea village area, was carried out by estimation work under natural conditions, a complex specialized work which highlights natural conditions of the area, where the soils and their physicochemical properties emerged and developed.Â Due to a varied natural conditions range, mainly because of the landscape, a large variety of soils, such as the reddish preluvosoil have formed in the area where the research was carried out; out of which, on wider areas, reddish luvic preluvosoil, reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoil and reddish alluvial preluvosoil.Â As a result of land evaluation and crop favourability classes, depending on natural factors and soil properties in the researched area, one can note that the alluvial reddish preluvosoil is characterized by the highest natural fertility, being followed by the luvic red preluvosoil. Reddish stagnic preluvosoil is characterized by a very low natural productivity potential, highly differentiating itself from the other three types of soil. The highest productivity is that of the reddish alluvial preluvosoil followed closely by that of the reddish luvic preluvosoil, and the lowest productivity is that of the reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoils; that of soils on slopes,Â  where the lowering or limiting factors of productive capacity are represented by the processes of erosion and stagnogleyzation

Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series

Analele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series) Vol. XLVIII/2018  257  CROP SUITABILITY ANALYSIS AND EASTERN CRAIOVA MAIN SOILS PRODUCTIVITY CAPACITY, CIRCEA AREA  POPESCU C.1 AND  EMILIA, CONSTANTINESCU1 (1) University of Craiova, Faculty of Agronomy, Romania, popescucristian07@yahoo.com (1) University of Craiova, Faculty of Agronomy, Romania, emiliaconst2000@yahoo.com  Keywords: soil, fertility, evaluation, productivity, reddish preluvosoil.  ABSTRACT  The analysis on fertility, crop suitability for different plants and eastern Craiova soils productivity capacity, i.e. Circea village area, was carried out by estimation work under natural conditions, a complex specialized work which highlights natural conditions of the area, where the soils and their physicochemical properties emerged and developed. Due to a varied natural conditions range, mainly because of the landscape, a large variety of soils, such as the reddish preluvosoil have formed in the area where the research was carried out; out of which, on wider areas, reddish luvic preluvosoil, reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoil and reddish alluvial preluvosoil. As a result of land evaluation and crop favourability classes, depending on natural factors and soil properties in the researched area, one can note that the alluvial reddish preluvosoil is characterized by the highest natural fertility, being followed by the luvic red preluvosoil. Reddish stagnic preluvosoil is characterized by a very low natural productivity potential, highly differentiating itself from the other three types of soil. The highest productivity is that of the reddish alluvial preluvosoil followed closely by that of the reddish luvic preluvosoil, and the lowest productivity is that of the reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoils; that of soils on slopes,  where the lowering or limiting factors of productive capacity are represented by the processes of erosion and stagnogleyzation. INTRODUCTION  Soil evaluation is a type ofspecialized work that is carried out after the work of soil identification in the field has been undertaken; this work’s purpose is to establish one soil or land’s relative value, and also the most suitable crops and uses, i.e. the most productive ones. Based on this soil assessment action, one can estimate the yields that can be obtained from working that land, due to that particular type of soil, for a particular crop plant. After having carried out these estimations, the technologies that are to be used are chosen, the improvements and investments that can be made, the level of labour remuneration, etc. Suitability assessment for different cultures and moreover the estimation of production capacity whenever we take into account soils or lands can be achieved under natural conditions of use or under men’sconditions of intervention as a result of various improvement works. In the reference area, in order to achieve the targets set, the evaluation work under natural conditions was performed, consideringnatural factors and soil properties as evaluation markers which have an essential influence upon plant growth and bearing fruit, as follows: average annual temperature; average annual properties; gleization; salinization or alkalization; Ap texture in the first 20 Analele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series) Vol. XLVIII/2018  258  cm; soil pollution status; landslides; groundwater deepening; floodable soils; total porosity in the first horizon; CaCO3 content in the first 50 cm; pH value in the first horizon; soil edificial properties; humus reserve in the first 50 cm; surface moisture excess.  MATERIALS AND METHODS  In order to carry out soil evaluation work, in the east of Craiova, Carcea area, that area’s mapping was carried out which helped at the identification of that area’s soil units, with the help of soil profiles placed on different landscape forms. Soil samples were collected which were afterwardsanalysed from a physical and chemical point of view. Based on field data and laboratory analysis results, four soil types specific to those naturalconditions of the area were identified. For the evaluation carried out under natural conditions of the identified soils, values of evaluation coefficients ranging from 0 to 1 were needed; they are specific to natural factors and soil properties. Based on these evaluation coefficients, naturalevaluation marks were establishedfor not only for all the plants under study but also for all the four soil types of the area under study. The value of natural evaluation mark may range from 0 to 100 points. Based on the value of the evaluation marks,soil favourability classes for different plants were established. In the case of natural evaluation, there are ten favourability classes: Class I = 100-91, Class II = 90-81, Class III = 80-71, Class IV = 70-61, Class V = 60-51, Class VI = 50-41, Class VII = 40-31, Class VIII = 30-21, Class IX = 20-11, Class X = 10-1 points, When the evaluation mark is 0, it is not recommended to grow and cultivate the plant because it has as its result a low, economically inefficient productivity. In order to estimate soil productivity capacity in the studied area the equivalent in kilograms per harvesting hectare characteristic to one evaluation point was the unit of measurement and by multiplying the evaluation markwith the quantity of products in kg per point of the natural evaluation mark for each plant under study, yields in kg / ha were sort out, which can be obtained per hectare, for each soil unit and by each crop plant. RESEARCH RESULTS  Table 1 is an illustration of evaluation marks and favourability classesfor each of the four types of soils, taking into account only the natural conditions in which they formed and their properties. Analysing the results obtained, it was found that the alluvial reddish preluvosoil got high quality marks and good favourability classes for most of the plants, which highlight this soil’s natural productive potential. Best favourability for this soil is that of the apricot, cherry, sourcherry trees, vines, which scored 80 points, while potato is the least suitable, scoring barely 52 points. Reddish luvic preluvosoil is characterized by medium suitability; most plants scored around 60 points. Best to be cultivated on this type of soil are the plum, cherry, sourcherry, apricot and peach trees as well as vine. After the yields of vineyards and trees the ones most favourable to follow are those of cereal plants, which fall in the fifthfavourability class; they all scored 58 points. The poorest results were scored by grasslands, i.e. 50 point; meaning sixth favourability class. Asexpected, reddish eroded preluvosoilis characterized by a very low natural fertility since it is a type of soil that Analele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series) Vol. XLVIII/2018  259  is to be found on moderate slopes, where slow geological erosion has gradually but permanently removed the surface clayed horizon, this being the reason and cause for which the soil is poor in humus and nutrients. All the plants which have been cultivated on this type of soil have scored poor evaluation marks, i.e.less than 50 points; the only exception is that of the apricot trees which scored 58 points. Table 1 Evaluation marks and favourability classes scored by main soils in the eastern part of Craiova, Circea area, for natural conditions  Use or crop plant Reddish luvic preluvosoil Reddish eroded preluvosoil Reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoil Reddish alluvial preluvosoil  Favourability class Generalscore / points Favourability class Total points Favourability class General score / points Favourability class Pastures  General score / points 50 IV 40 VII 64 IV Grasslands  64 35 VII 27 VII 50 VI Apple Tree  50 37 VII 29 VIII 64 IV Pear Tree  58 37 VII 24 VIII 72 III Plum Tree  65 46 VI 37 VII 72 III Cherry-sour cherry Trees  72 47 VI 33 VII 80 III Apricot Tree  72 58 V 21 VIII 80 III Peach Tree  72 47 VI 11 IX 80 III Vine -wine  72 47 VI 37 VII 80 III Table vine  72 41 VI 21 VIII 65 IV Wheat  72 47 VI 28 VIII 65 IV Barley  58 47 VI 28 VIII 65 IV Corn  58 37 VII 17 IX 65 IV Sunflower 58 58 41 VI 13 IX 65 IV Potato 58 V 20 IX 5 X 52 V Alfalfa 73 II 47 VI 29 VIII 72 III Vegetables 52 V 32 VIII 12 IX 58 V  Reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoil is also characterized by a very low natural fertility, since it is a type of soil which is characteristic to shaded northern slopes and in addition to the erosion process there is also that of rainwater stagnation. Most plants scored less than 30 points, which means very low favourability classes, i.e. VIII, IX, X. Higher scoring was achieved by pastures which got 40 points and vine wine which reached 37 points and the lowest score Analele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series) Vol. XLVIII/2018  260  was recorded by potato i.e. 5 points as evaluation mark and tenthfavourability class. Table 2 illustrates productivity capacity for each of the four soils that are to be found in the eastern part of Craiova, the area of Circea, taking into consideration only the natural conditions in which they formed and their properties. Table 2 Productivity capacity for the main soils in the eastern part of Craiova,  Circea area, for natural conditions  Use or crop plant Reddish luvic preluvosoil Reddish eroded preluvosoil Reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoil Reddish alluvial preluvosoil General score / points Favourability class Generalscore / points Favourability class General score / points Favourability class General score / points Favourability class Pastures 64 12800 50 10000 40 2400 64 12800 Grasslands 50 10000 35 1750 27 1350 50 10000 Apple Tree 58 17400 37 11100 29 8700 64 19200 Pear Tree 65 19500 37 11100 24 7200 72 19200 Plum Tree 72 18000 46 11500 37 9250 72 18000 Cherry-sour cherry Trees 72 7200 47 4700 33 3300 80 8000 Apricot Tree 72 10800 58 8700 21 3150 80 12000 Peach Tree 72 10800 47 7050 11 3150 80 12000 Vine - wine 72 10800 47 7050 37 5550 80 12000 Table Vine  72 12240 41 6970 21 3570 65 11050 Wheat 58 3480 47 2820 28 1680 65 3900 Barley 58 3480 47 2820 28 1680 65 3900 Corn 58 4640 37 2960 17 4680 65 5200 Sunflower 58 1856 41 1312 13 416 65 1495 Potato 58 26100 20 9000 5 1500 52 15600 Alfalfa 73 5840 47 3760 29 2320 72 5760 Vegetables 52 15600 32 9600 12 3600 58 17400  It can be also noticedthe fact that the most productive capacity is that of reddish alluvial preluvosoil, extremely closelyfollowed by reddish luvic preluvosoil, which are responsible forgreat productivity capacity at most of the plants studied. Highest yields can be obtained on these types of soils when we refer to fruit tree planting and vineyards, but cereal grains yields can be characterized by good productivity capacity also. At the opposite end of the spectrum arethesoils on the slopes, Analele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series) Vol. XLVIII/2018  261  i.e.reddish eroded preluvosoil and reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoil, whereyields are lower for all studied plants. The factors that play a main role in decreasing or limiting productivity capacity are erosion and stagnogleization processes. Lowest yields on these soils have been estimated for cereal grains and potato. Sinceyieldestimation is made per soil unit based on the evaluation marks under natural conditions achieved by that particular soiland with the help of productivity foreach point of the evaluation mark for each individual plant it is absolutely logical and normal, that the agro-productive potential to be very well correlated with evaluation marks and also, of course, with favourability classes. CONCLUSIONS  Soil evaluation work in the in the researched area was carried out by taking into consideration only the plants that are currently cultivated in the area, namely: pastures, grasslands, apple, pear, plum, cherry-sour cherry, apricot, peach trees, vine-wine, table vine wheat, barley, corn, sunflower, potato, alfalfa, vegetables. After having set evaluation marks and favourability classes, depending on natural factors and soil properties in the researched area, it was noted the fact that the reddish alluvial preluvosoilis characterized by the highest natural fertility, followed by the reddish slightly luvic preluvosoil. Reddish eroded preluvosoil that is to be found on the southern slopes, falls into middle-to-low fertility classsince the plants under study fall in the sixth and seventh favourability classes.  Reddish eroded and stagnogleizedpreluvosoil is characterized by a very low natural productivity capacity, greatly differentiating itself from the other three types of soil. All the plants under study meet poor developmental conditions on reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoil that is to be found on the northern slopes, well-shaded. Most plants scored less than 30 points, which means very low favourability classes, i.e. VIII, IX, X. The data obtained after soil evaluation work has been carried out reflect reality, namely productivity capacity for each type of soil and the possibilities to improve them. Also, it was noted the fact that soils characterized by a higher productivity potential, such as the reddish alluvial preluvosoils, improvement actions that are to be performed in order to obtain great and safe yields, are fewer and are not characterized by such an intensive degree. On the soils characterized bylow natural productivity capacity, such as reddish eroded and stagnic preluvosoils, the ameliorative measures which are to be applied in order to increase agricultural productivity are more numerous and more radical, too. BIBLIOGRAPHY  1. Cotet, P., 1957, The Plain of Oltenia - Geomorphological Studies. Scientific Publishing House, Bucharest. 2. Florea N., Munteanu I., 2012, The RomanianSystem of Soil Taxonomy, Sitech Publishing House, Craiova. 3. Glodeanu M., Popescu S., Alexandru T., Investigations concerning the possibility of converting the liquid flow into an electric parameter in order to automatize the working process for agricultural sprinkling machinery. Third Conference Energy Efficiency and Agricultural Engineering, Bulgaria, pp. 140-143, 2006. 4. Popescu, C., 2006, Pedology – land evaluation, Craiova UniversitariaPublishing House. Analele Universităţii din Craiova, seria Agricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series) Vol. XLVIII/2018  262  5. Sorop, Gr., 1981, Considerations on brown-reddish soil in Oltenia, I.A.N.B Scientific Study, Series A, XXIV, Bucharest. 6.Teaci, D., 1980, Land evaluation, Ceres Publishing House, Bucharest. 7. Vasile C.,The analytical and experimental modeling of functioning of automated installation from CFF. Annals of University of Craiova -Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre series, vol. XLV, no. 2, pp. 241 -246, 2015. 8. *** 1987, TheMethodology of Pedological Studies, vol. I, II, III, ICPA.  

CROP SUITABILITY ANALYSIS AND EASTERN CRAIOVA MAIN SOILS PRODUCTIVITY CAPACITY, CIRCEA AREA

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CROP SUITABILITY ANALYSIS AND EASTERN CRAIOVA MAIN SOILS PRODUCTIVITY CAPACITY, CIRCEA AREA

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Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series