Resumen

BARRIOS M, Renny  y  FLORENTINO, Adriana. Hydraulic properties of two subirrigated soils cultivated with oil palm in Monagas state, Venezuela ¹. Agronomía Trop. [online]. 2008, vol.58, n.2, pp.155-162. ISSN 0002-192X.

In an essay carried out in Monagas State the hydraulic properties of two representative soils of the commercial plantations of palm oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) were evaluated in order to infer about the behavior of a subirrigation system. For the sampling 102 points were selected in the Ultisol (Typic Plinthudults) and 92 points in the Vertisol (Entic Pelluderts) over five transects. The hydraulic properties were evaluated in four strata. The evaluated variables were: saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), dry bulk density, particle-size distribution, total porosity, macroporosity and infiltration. The results evidenced the presence of horizons compacted starting from the 25 cm of depth that are reflected in a reduction of Ks accompanied by increments in the bulk density and reductions in total porosity and macroporosity. In Ultisol the steady infiltration was lees than Ks, while in Vertisol the behavior was inverse due to the flow interagregates. For Ultisol the curve of retention of humidity was characterized by a drastic descent of the content of humidity between -10 and -300 kPa of tension, with very few changes starting from this point in the Ultisol, while in the Vertisol an important change in the water retained with tensions between -300 and -1500 kPa was obtained. The superficial stratum presented the best hydraulic behavior so that the subirrigation system was discarded as an alternative of irrigation on palm oil.

Palabras clave : Compaction; Elaeis guineensis; Ks; Ultisol; Vertisol.