Resumen

COMERMA G, Juan A. Poorly drained soils in Venezuela. Agronomía Trop. [online]. 2009, vol.59, n.1, pp.25-32. ISSN 0002-192X.

By poorly drained soils we are including those saturated with water for important periods of the year and that show hirdromorphic features in their profile. Taxono­mically, we are talking of Acuic suborders of Vertisols, Inceptisols, Entisols, Ultisols, Alfisols and organic soils or Histosols. They mainly occur in flat alluvial plains subjected to flooding and in a lesser proportion to high water tables. According to the best estimates, they occupy around 20% of the nation or 18.2 million hectares. The dominant use is extensive grazing, rice and reserves of flora and fauna. The main areas in the country are: Continental deltaic plains, Plains of Apure State, Orinoco Delta, Southern plains of Maracaibo Lake, and Caribbean Coastal plains. A discussion of each area includes its main characteristics, extension, origin, pedogenesis, taxonomy and present and potential land use.

Palabras clave : Hidromorficos grounds; earth drainage.